Milestone: Tallygaroopna A-grade playing coach Fiona Down will chalk up game 350 this weekend.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
In a career that has spanned two decades, a stack of premierships and multiple best-and-fairest awards, Fiona Down has little difficulty singling out her most memorable moment.
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The Tallygaroopna A-grade coach will run out for game 350 on Saturday when her beloved outfit take on Dookie United in the Kyabram District League Indigenous Round.
Down has won five premierships and three club best-and-fairests since she joined the club in 2001, but it’s a memory in 2017 that she remembers most.
Only weeks after celebrating her 300th game, Down was diagnosed with breast cancer and missed the A-grade grand final.
Although the talented midcourter couldn’t be there physically, her teammates created a life-sized cut-out figure of her in what was a special and moving act of support.
Down has never forgotten it.
“I’ve been lucky enough to win a number of premierships and it was nice to win one in 2008 with B-grade when the A-grade side won it as well but just the support I’ve received from the club and the girls sticks out the most,” Down said.
“For them to have a cut-out figure of me when I couldn’t be there when I had my health battle is something that I will always remember. It meant so much to me that day.
“I’m just so grateful and lucky to be playing at such a family-oriented club.”
Watching on: A cardboard cut-out of Fiona Down was on the sidelines at the 2017 A-grade grand final.
Photo by
Julie Mercer
Down’s extensive list of highlights features B-grade premierships in 2003, 05, 08 and 2019.
Down, who coached the club’s C-grade outfit to glory in 2019, said she was thankful to still be out and hitting the court each week.
“I’m surprised it’s come around so quick to be honest,” Down said.
“You don’t play for milestones, you play for the enjoyment you get and after having those years off with my health battles I’m really happy to be able to play.
“It’s pretty cool to reach 350 games considering everything that has happened.”
Down’s 350th club appearance comes in what is a top four battle for her outfit.
Dookie United sits in fourth spot on the ladder, while last week’s draw with Nagambie sees Tally occupy third position.
Down’s milestone won’t be the only celebration for Tallygaroopna this weekend.
Steph Boyle will play her 200th club match on Saturday.
Boyle was a member of the 2014 B-grade premiership and claimed the C-grade best-and-fairest award in 2008.
Around the courts, Stanhope has a tough assignment at home against ladder-leader Shepparton East.
The Eagles moved into first spot — on percentage — following Nagambie’s draw with Tallygaroopna last week.
The Lions are locked in seventh spot.
Meanwhile, plenty of eyes will be locked on the Sunday fixture between Violet Town and Lancaster.
The Towners occupy fifth spot on the ladder, while the Wombats are a few pegs below in eighth.
Elsewhere, Avenel and Murchison-Toolamba are duking it out for a spot inside the top-eight.
Longwood faces a tough test against Nagambie, while Rushworth will welcome Merrigum.
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