CHRIS LAVERTY – MAGPIES NEW GAMES RECORD HOLDER
By Tassie Deacon
Sale Football Netball Club’s Chris Laverty will create a new club record when he plays his 287th senior game for the Magpies in the Gippsland League Round 14 premier league match against Wonthaggi at Sale Oval on Saturday.
The record for senior games played is currently held by recently retired Kane Fraser with 286 games and who broke the record in 2013 that had been held by the legendary ruckman Bob Mason since 1962.
Above: Laverty (left) with previous games record holder Kane Fraser
Laverty began his football at Sale Catholic College before breaking into senior football at Sale in 2001 when he played three senior games. His career blossomed over the next three years until he went interstate in 2005 to try his luck at South Adelaide in the SANFL. Returning to the Magpies in 2006 Laverty proved to be a great acquisition to the senior side. Quickly recognized as a team leader he captained the Magpies premiership side that defeated Morwell in the 2008 grand final. He went on to feature in his second Sale premiership when the Magpies defeated Maffra in the 2012 grand final.
During his career at Sale he won back to back senior coach’s awards, and was named in the Magpies 2000’s Team of the Decade. Laverty was selected in the WGLFL Team of the Year in 2006 and 2007 and was runner up in the club 2007 best and fairest count, the same year he also played for the WGLFL side in the VCFL Championship games played at Sale Oval. He played his 100th senior game in 2008 and then won the prestigious Past Players most valuable player trophy in 2013. He reached the 200 game mile stone in 2014.
The ginger headed Laverty’s style makes him a real crowd pleaser. He is quick with excellent close to ground skills. Hard to match up on, he has played in a number of positions in the Magpies lineup and has so far in his career with Sale has kicked 93 goals. Even so when he finally retires he will probably be best remembered as an attacking defender.
Demonstrating exemplary leadership he is one of Sale’s most determined competitors when he pulls on the number six black & white jumper. The likeable Laverty has always been prominent in senior vote counts and was awarded Life Membership in 2012.
To be the club games record holder is just reward for this truly dedicated and passionate clubman. With age still on his side, 300 senior games is well within reach for the 34 year old. He then would be the first Sale player to reach 300 games and would join five other Gippsland’s premier football league senior players to have reached the 300 game major mile stone.
Last Modified on 26/07/2018 16:42