A pair of club legends in Picola District Football Netball League got to mark their momentous milestones in style last weekend, earning big wins in their respective games as they each cracked the double ton.
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Brad Crowther pulled on Katunga’s red and white for his 200th first XVIII game, while Ray Ireland donned Katandra’s famous jumper for his 200th senior game as well.
Ireland and Crowther got to cap the occasions with victories, with the Kats prevailing by 91 points over Mathoura and the Swans toppling Katamatite by 59 points.
For Ireland, the Katandra Football Netball Club has always been home.
The Kats are the only team he has played for and he said it was a proud moment to bring up game number 200.
“It was something I thought of at the start of the year, I knew I was getting close,“ Ireland said.
“I wasn't too nervous, it's another game of footy. It's a pretty proud milestone to hit that, you don't see it that often any more with people jumping from club to club a bit more than they used to.
“It’s probably nice to get it done, in a way. Battling a few little injuries and that, it was just nice to get out there and get through the game.“
At Katunga, Crowther has always had a strong connection to the club. His father, Neil, played 192 senior games and was a part of five premierships, with Brad following in his footsteps.
“It was pretty good. Obviously, I've spent a fair bit of my senior career at the club,” Crowther said.
“It took me a little bit to get that last little bit, but yeah, it’s good to get the 200 up for my home club. I just show up and run around, it's good to get that little bit of recognition, I suppose.”
His career began at Katunga, and after a stint at Numurkah, Crowther returned to his home club in 2022 – a reunion he was happy to have.
“I just wanted to give a little bit back to the club towards the back end of my career,” he said.
“It is such a good club and I've spent a lot of time there and my family has, so it’s good to come back and finish up and see how I can help out and just give back a bit of where I can.”
Family bond
As Ireland and Crowther took to the field to run through the banners celebrating their landmark occasions on Saturday afternoon, they were joined by those closest to them.
Crowther burst through his banner with his two children Connor and Milla, while Ireland’s kids Chelsea, Maddox and Harper helped forge a hole through the crepe paper.
“It was really good to do it with my kids,“ Ireland said.
“I had a couple of years off and that was a big part of the reason to come back – my kids are coming through and I wanted them to enjoy what I had come through at Katandra.
“It is a great place and for them to run through the banner with me was unreal. It was really good, really enjoyable.”
Crowther said his family had played a huge role in helping him reach this point in his career.
“There are a lot of people who have helped me out like my family,” Crowther said.
“Mum and Dad when you are younger, getting you around and getting you to games and and looking after you. My partner, Rache, helping you when it's cold and hard and that sort of stuff. That support around you helps keep you going.”
Dream achievement
Having reached the 200-game mark, Crowther and Ireland said they had a special achievement they would still like to notch in their careers.
For Crowther, making it to 300 games might not be on the cards, but he would love the chance to play in a certain game he is yet to reach in his senior career.
“I don't know about 300, it's a bit out of reach, I reckon. Personally, I would love to get to a grand final,“ he said.
“For the club and everything as well, getting to a grand final and winning it is the ultimate goal.
“With the time I have left playing footy, if I can do my bit and help leave the club in a good position, whether that means they win a grand final in the near future after I finish, I would still be happy with that.
“Personally, I would love to win a premiership.“
Ireland’s three kids Chelsea, Maddox and Harper play football and netball at Katandra as well, something he said had become the highlight of his weekend.
“For me now, it is about my kids. Watching my kids come through, for me, that is the big thing,” he said.
“That's what I really enjoy about Saturdays – helping Maddox with his footy and then going and watching the girls play netball and then run around and try and get a kick or two myself in the afternoon. That's what it's all about for me now.”
It might be a few years off, but Ireland said he would love the chance to lace up his boots alongside his kids.
“It is something really, for cricket and footy, that I really would love to do,” he said.
“I would love to play with my kids. You never know, I'm only 33, so who knows.”
The push for finals football
With six rounds of the Picola District league in the books, Katandra and Katunga have cemented themselves as strong finals contenders.
Following last weekend’s triumph over Mathoura, the Kats have a 6-1 win-loss record heading into their away clash against Katamatite on Saturday – the first game of a tough stretch for the team.
“We've got the job done at the start of the year and now we are really building to a very big six weeks with Waaia, Tungamah, Strathmerton, Katamatite, those guys a bit higher on the ladder,” Ireland said.
We need to make sure we're playing some good footy and get a few of those wins. Once we get our full list in, we definitely are a pretty handy side. But as I said this next six weeks will be a big test for us, I reckon.“
For the 4-2 Swans, last weekend’s win over Katamatite helped them keep pace with the league’s top four.
Now, Katunga will make the road trip to Rennie to take on the Hoppers.
“It's always a tough trip going up to Rennie, they always put up a good fight,” Crowther said.
“They really took it right up to us last year, so hopefully we can put four quarters together, I don't think we really have done that this year.
“I think if we can play four quarters of our good footy, we should be able to go out there and get the points, hopefully.
“We had a super tough first month, we pretty much played the top four or five from last year. This next couple of months the draw opens up a little bit for us.”