By KRISTEN ALEBAKIS
HOPPERS Crossing captain Mathew Ryan has pulled on the blue and white jumper for more than 20 years and this weekend he will mark a special milestone in his decorated career.
The Warriors stalwart play his 400th game for the club on Sunday.
Ryan has been one of the WRFL’s great leaders over the past several years, he is a life member of the Hoppers Crossing Football Club, a member of their team of the decade, represented the WRFL during Interleague and has been named captain of the Division 1 team of the year.
Ryan said he was looking forward to playing in the milestone match on Sunday, but says his focus was beating Werribee Districts in the do-or-die Elimination Final.
“It’s a great honour to play that many games for Hoppers Crossing, but it’s equally important that we get the win on the weekend,” he said.
“Being an elimination final we need to give ourselves the best chance to win a premiership.”
Ryan said the Warriors season has been good overall.
“We’ve probably dropped a couple of games we would have liked to have won, but the competition is really even this year,” he said.
Ryan said last year’s Grand Final loss would be a motivating factor for the group during this year’s finals campaign.
“We are really disappointed with the result last year, we have worked really hard this year to try and get back into that position again and hopefully go one better,” he said.
“It would mean everything to everyone if we were to win the premiership. It would be reward for effort over a three or four year period.
“We started with our group three or four years ago and progressively gone better each year so that’s what we strive for (to win a premiership).”
Hoppers Crossing takes on Werribee Districts on Sunday in the Division 1 Elimination Final at Burbank Oval. The game starts at 2.15pm.
Get all the finals information here.
Last Modified on 24/08/2017 14:24