Versatile defender Ben Sharp celebrates his 50th game when the Werribee Tigers line up against the Northern Bullants in round eight.
It’s a significant achievement for Sharp, 24, whose football career so far has taken him as far away as Perth, and to within two goals of a grand final appearance in 2008.
But his mind is fully focused on the season ahead, a season that has seen the Tigers start in a more positive fashion, with three wins.
“I’m stoked, it’s always nice to arrive at a club and get a milestone and hopefully I’ll be able to notch up 100 and more,” he said.
“I’m just loving being around the boys, we’ve got a fresh lease on things this year. “Satts” has come in and there’s a different vibe around the place this year, so the club is a great place to be around.
“We’ve got three wins on the board after just four last year so it’s good that the morale is turning around.”
Taken pick #9 by West Coast in the 2004 AFL Rookie Draft, Sharp had his eyes set on forging a successful career. But, he says, the enormous success the side was achieving at the time made it difficult.
“I went over there at 18 and they were a very successful club,” he said, “so it was nearly impossible to get a game.
“But to learn off blokes like Ben Cousins, Chris Judd and Daniel Kerr was fantastic. And I think living 4,000km from home I grew up pretty quickly as a person too so I couldn’t thank West Coast enough.”
Sharp says he was hell-bent on getting back on an AFL list after he was delisted at the end of the 2007 season, but fast-forward to this year and his attitude is different.
“It’s not something I’m thinking about at the moment,” he said. “I did put a lot of pressure on myself to get back but now that I’ve matured a bit I see it from another perspective and I really just love playing for Werribee.”
And after two meagre years in which the Tigers have finished in the bottom half of the ladder, Sharp says the players, along with coach Paul Satterley, are determined to make a difference in 2011.
“We want to make the eight. Last year was a disappointing season so I really want to be part of a finals campaign and not just make up the numbers,” he said.
“That’s a driving force and a key focus for me individually and for all the boys as a team.”
Sharp will be celebrating his milestone at Avalon Airport Oval at Chirnside Park on May 21 vs the Northern Bullants. The game will also be covered on ABC TV from 1pm.
Last Modified on 20/05/2011 11:42