The Swans’ stalwart is set to reach game 500 in Katunga colours when lining up against Strathmerton in B-grade, more than 35 years on from when she first laced her shoes for competition.
From then to now, the thought of cracking the milestone hasn’t really featured in Howden’s mind.
Because no matter the number, as she admits, each game is just another chance to play the sport she loves.
“No, it’s definitely not something that I gave too much thought about,” she said.
“I’ve just always loved the game and continued to play while I can.
“I’m not one who really follows ladders and how teams are travelling, I’m usually just one to rock up each week and play to the best I can, no matter the opposition.”
Howden’s mentality of rocking up each week and playing the best she can has kept her trophy cabinet brimming with accolades for the past 499 games.
She featured in Katunga’s 1998 and 2001 A-grade premierships and has six A-grade best-and-fairest gongs to go along with the pair of flags, and she isn’t slowing down having picked up the league’s B-grade best-and-fairest in 2021 and 2022.
She was inducted as a Picola District Football Netball League life member in 2019 and her name is forever instilled in Katunga history with the club’s A-grade netball best-and-fairest bestowed the ‘Rachael Howden Medal’ each year.
There’s no denying she is one of the best to don the dress at the Swans and all it took to realise Katunga was the club for her was a season spent outside of the nest.
“My mum and dad are heavily involved in the club, they’re life members of the club, so I’ve always had a strong sense of belonging there, I really love the club,” she said.
“We did have one year away when we moved to Congupna.
“Although we enjoyed our time there we’d made the move because we thought the kids would want to play with their mates, but they had also built some strong connections outside of school back there, so we ended up back (at Katunga).”
Leading into the 2023 campaign ― Howden’s 37th ― there was never any doubt as to whether she’d play.
Her experience helped Katunga’s B-grade side to a win over Tungamah in the season opener and when she runs through the banner and out to face Strathmerton, Howden knows it’ll just be another game.
A game played in front of family and friends and one which may just draw her closer to another piece of silverware to add to an already crowded trophy cabinet.
“It’s been a few years since I won a premiership, we’ve been close the last few years, so I’d like to be able to get one of them before I retire.”
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