By RUSSELL BENNETT
HE was a member of Catani’s first ever under-12 side in 1993, and on Saturday he played his 300th game across the seniors and reserves. Luke ‘Chops’ McFarlane is 100 per cent True Blue.
Talking to the Gazette after chalking up his 300th against Poowong on the weekend, ‘Chops’ never thought he’d play 100 games – let alone 300.
And his nickname may give some indication as to why. While many may think it’s got something to do with food, it doesn’t. Instead, ‘Chops’ is derived from ‘Chopper’ – as in, the helicopter kicks he was known for as a junior when he dropped the ball from one side of his body and kicked with the other.
But he’s since gone on to become a two-time senior premiership player, and together with a group of great mates the now 33-year-old has made memories to last a lifetime.
“My family has always been at the club – I’ve never had any desire to leave,” he said simply.
He’s gained the likes of Josh Tymensen and Owen Fitzpatrick as best mates out of the hugely successful 2004/05 double premiership era, and on Saturday celebrated the ’05 flag at the 10-year reunion.
But he could have easily never been involved in either of them – after a freak accident with an angle grinder nearly cut through his wrist more than a decade ago.
When asked to mention his favourite team mates over the years at the Blues, Chops couldn’t go past ‘Big Owy’.
“He’s pretty special,” he said of Fitzpatrick.
“He’s only 29 and he’s kicked around 900 goals. He gets two or three defenders every week and he kicked 12 again on Saturday.
“When we were down and out he was always reliable, so I can’t go too far past him.”
Chops described coach Paul Alger as arguably his biggest influence in footy, saying: “As a coach, the way he gets you up and about on a Saturday and how he deals with players – it just makes you want to play for him.”
And Chops isn’t thinking of hanging the boots up just yet, adding: “I’ll keep going until the missus really puts her foot down.
“You’re a long time retired.”
Chops’s dad Tony is not only a Blues stalwart and former president, he coached him in that inaugural under-12s side. He described him as a hard and tough player who refused to give up, and with even bigger praise, said he was “an ultimate clubman”.
Chops thanked his parents Tony and Kerral, his brothers Shane and Dan, his sister Chantelle and his wife Kobi for their support over the years.
