From Blues fan to Blues man: Cowan realises boyhood dream

Lachie Cowan was barely home from hospital after he was born before he was wearing his first Carlton guernsey. This week, the Tassie product will realise a childhood dream when he makes his AFL debut for the Blues.

Tasmanian draftee Lachie Cowan, who will make his AFL debut on Thursday, poses with Carlton fans at training. Picture by Michael Klein

ROUND one Carlton debutant Lachie Cowan was wearing his first Blues guernsey just days after he was born.

When he was 18 months old his father, Carlton fanatic Graham, took him to his first Blues game at Melbourne.

Frankly he had no choice but to support the Bluebaggers, growing up in Devonport as part of a mad-keen Carlton supporting family, with dad Graham leading the way.

He was oblivious to what was happening as a baby at the then-called Telstra Dome in 2007, when the Blues beat the Bulldogs. But on Thursday night, the Devonport junior will be in the thick of the action when Carlton takes on Richmond at a packed MCG.

News of his debut was just part of an incredible week for Cowan, who also received a two year contract extension until the end of 2026.

The 18-year-old was taken at pick 30 by the Blues in November’s AFL Draft, after he was a joint winner of the under-18 national competition’s best and fairest last season.

A shift to half-back at the Tasmania Devils in 2021 after playing his juniors in the midfield has proven a masterstroke.

Carlton debutant Lachie Cowan, with father Graham at a Carlton game when he was 18 months old.

A hard-running, rebounding player with a long kick, Cowan has been given first crack at replacing Zac Williams at half-back after his season-ending knee injury.

Graham was working on the wharf at Devonport when he was asked to break the news to his son during a team meeting on Sunday morning, which Carlton has since posted on social media.

He said he had to compose himself before one of the best phone calls of his life.

“I was very emotional, when they told me he was going to get a game,” Graham said.

“Then I had to ring him and tell him. It was like a dream come true. You couldn’t even dream that.

“I reckon second day he was home (from hospital after being born) he had a little Carlton jersey on.

“I was actually at work and it was a busy time. I went over and found a quiet place to talk to him. I had to compose myself before and after it.

“It’s surreal and overwhelming. Both me and Jode (wife Jodi) are lost for words. It’s a credit to him, he went over there (Carlton) on his 18th birthday and he’s settled into club life and loves it.

“I didn’t even book tickets (for round one), I thought it’ll take time and he’ll get there eventually, but to be called up for the first game of the season is amazing.

Jodi said the family found it difficult keeping a lid on the secret.

Tasmania’s Lachie Cowan shared the Morrish Medal as the best and fairest player in the 2022 NAB League Boys season. Picture Steve Bell/AFL Photos

“He’s always been a big (Carlton) fan, it’s come from his dad and that’s how he’s grown up.

“It’s a dream come true for both Lachie and Graham, I guess. We found out on Sunday so it was pretty hard to keep it all under wraps until it was all official.

Generally, rule No.1 of team meetings is make sure your phone doesn’t go off.

But, as you will see, there are some exceptions to this.

For example: when you’re the AFL Senior Coach, and the respective dads of two players making their AFL debuts come calling. 📞 pic.twitter.com/45VVvPuwKv

— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) March 13, 2023

“It’s a very exciting game to debut in, especially being a Carlton fan he understands the hype around that game.

“You’re always hopeful but we didn’t expect it really. We thought possibly later on in the year (he’d debut).”

The Blues struggled for speed last year and Cowan was drafted to help rectify that issue.

“He played all his junior football in the midfield, but not last year the year before when Cameron Joyce (now Gold Coast AFLW coach) was coaching the Devils, he and a couple of other coaches put him on half back. He just flourished and hasn’t looked back since,” Jodi said.

Sam Lonergan, a former Launceston TSL coach, is now a development coach at Richmond.

Before he was drafted, Cowan joked with The Mercury he had “annoyed the crap out of him with hundreds of questions’, and hoped Lonergan had put in a good word with Richmond coach Damien Hardwick.

Come Thursday night Richmond will be hoping Lonergan didn’t teach Cowan too well as he looks to help Carlton end its long run of outs in their traditional season opener against the Tigers.

“Sam is usually runner on the night for Richmond, Sam will be giving him some banter I reckon,” Graham laughed.

Lachlan Cowan in action for the Blues during their practice match with Collingwood. Pic: Michael Klein

“He’s a hard running player and has a nice long kick on him. They’re the type of players they’ve gone with with their draftees.”

Carlton teammates have already taken to chanting ‘Moo’ at Cowan’s highlights during team meetings.

It also echoed around the room when his dad told him he was debuting.

Asked the origin of the nickname, Graham said: “Back when he was in under 12s one of his coaches in a state side nicknamed him ‘Mooey’.

“It went away after a bit, and we never heard it again until he got to Carlton.

“That would be fantastic I reckon (if fans shouted ‘moo’ when he gets the ball), it would get the crowd involved.”