By KRISTEN ALEBAKIS
WHEN Brad Connor runs onto the field at Kinder Smith Reserve on Saturday, it will be for the 428th time.
It might not mean much to the wider community, but to the Sunshine Football Club it will be history in the making.
Brad will re-write the club’s history books when he takes on Altona. He will break the club record of 428 games, surpassing the mark set by Darren Green.
Brad said it has been an honour and privilege to pull on the Sunshine jumper each for more than 20 years.
“A bit of luck has played part in getting me to this game I reckon,” he laughed.
“A lot of people have played at the club and to have the record is an honour.”
Brad said his love of the Sunshine Football Club, the people he has grown up with and the mates he has made a long the way are the main reasons why he has continued to play footy.
“My family has been involved with the club, so it would have been pretty hard to leave,” he said.
“I love playing footy with my mates, it is why I keeping coming back.”
Reserves coach Nathan Wilson, who also coached Brad at the Under-16 level, said the defender was a stalwart of the club.
He said in the five years he has been the Reserves coach, Brad would have missed training a handful of times.
“This milestone is a testament to the work he puts in,” Nathan said.
“He is a durable player who has had limited injuries. He has been fortunate throughout his career.
“He is a committed player on the ground and off the field he is just as supportive of the club. I hope the boys go the extra distance for him this weekend.”
Brad said his best footy highlight came when his team claimed the 2008 Reserves premiership.
He hopes the Kangaroos can play finals and win another flag this season, and at 6-1, they are in with a real chance.
“We are second on the ladder and the seniors are on top of the ladder, so it feels pretty good to be a part of the club at the moment,” Brad said.
“We have a strong list and I am really enjoying playing footy this year, hopefully we can play finals.”
At 34-years old, Brad said he hadn’t contemplated retirement just yet, but says if the boys from Sunshine could win the premiership he may hang up the boots.
“It would make my decision a little easier. It would be a fitting end,” he said.
Last Modified on 01/06/2017 11:36