When Kyle Phipps began his footballing journey 20 years ago, he said he could not have predicted that he would be where he is now.
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Phipps became just the second person to play 300 games for the Moama Football Club when he took to the field last Saturday.
More history is awaiting Phipps, who is on the cusp of becoming Moama’s all-time games record holder.
Brad “Smoo” Williams played 301 games for Moama, with Phipps now needing to play just two more games to surpass his record.
Despite the significance of playing in his 300th game, Phipps said things felt surprisingly normal in the build-up to the big game.
“It just felt like every other game with a little bit more attention, really,” Phipps said.
“I’m always nervous before footy, so it doesn’t really matter if it’s a milestone game or not I have always got those nerves.
“I realise it’s a pretty significant achievement — it was enjoyable and I enjoyed the whole day really.’’
Phipps and the Magpies got to celebrate his milestone game in style with a 25-point win over Rumbalara in the opening round of the new Murray Football League season.
Looking back on the weekend, Phipps said the significance of his achievement was still sinking in.
“It’s probably something that when I get a bit older I’ll look back on and see it as an achievement,” he said. “I enjoy playing football, so it seems like a lot of fuss for something you enjoy doing.
“Looking back it’s going to be a pretty good effort to play 300 games, not a lot of people are lucky to do so and also not everyone’s body holds up for that long so I am lucky in those terms.
“One of the special moments of the day was being able to run out and go through the banner with my three kids, that was pretty special.”
In a career that has spanned more than two decades, Phipps has had some remarkable moments on the footy field. Looking back, two moments in particular stood out to him.
“One highlight would be winning a reserves grand final on the fourth attempt,” he said. “It was four years in a row that we made the grand final and we lost three years in a row but managed to win it on the fourth attempt in 2011.
“That was one of the highlights, all that hard work over the years to finally get a premiership.”
Phipps went on to enjoy more premiership success with the Pies, winning back-to-back reserves flags in 2015 and 2016.
Another moment Phipps spoke fondly of was one that he said he undervalued at the time.
“My old man [Darren] played 80-odd games for Moama when we moved up here and I was lucky enough to play a majority of that football with him,” he said.
“At the time I took it for granted, but now looking back and having kids of my own, it’s something pretty cool, it’s something I won’t do with my children.’’
Alongside his father, Phipps also played with his twin brother, Ash.
“The three of us were all running around on the same park for a while so that was pretty good.
“Looking back, it was a pretty amazing thing to do, but at the time I didn’t realise how good of an opportunity I had to play footy with my old man.”
Thinking of other memories from during his career, Phipps said he couldn’t remember his first goal, but said there was a good reason for that.
“I’ve kicked too many to remember every one of them,” he said, laughing. “It was a little while ago now, a lot of things have happened since then.”
Phipps moved to town when he was 13, playing a few seasons at the junior level before making his senior debut at 16.
When he first arrived in Moama he said proximity to the club was one reason he joined the club, alongside another AFL-based connection.
“I’m a Collingwood supporter so that made the decision a little bit easier, to be able to run out in the black and white,” he said.
For Phipps and his family, their connection to the Moama Football Club has also been about more than just sport.
“My eldest daughter was diagnosed with leukaemia when she was three, so the club were right behind me and helped me and supported me throughout the whole thing,” he said.
“One thing about being at the club for so long is the support that they give you when times are tough, Moama has always been there.
“I thought that was pretty special for the club to stand by and help someone that’s involved with the club. The club have been really supportive and helped us through that time.”
There are still a couple of achievements Phipps would like to tick off his list before hanging up the boots, including another special milestone.
Phipps has played in 300 games for the Pies — 201 in the reserves and 99 for the senior team — and he said it would be great to reach 100 senior games as well.
“Look it would be nice to tick it off, but I’m not holding my breath,” he joked. “They might give me a charity game, that would be all right — tick that milestone off, it would be good.
“I definitely think I have a few more seasons left, that’s what I hope anyway.
“The ultimate would be to win another flag in the reserves, and I’m looking forward to this year seeing how all our grades of footy go, I think we’re going to be pretty competitive so pretty keen to see how this year plays out.”