History will be made at Gunbower Recreation Reserve this weekend with Leitchville-Gunbower Football Netball Club legend Craig Taylor set to reach an incredible milestone.
Thirty-three years after running out for his first senior game back in 1989, Taylor will take to the field for the 400th time on Saturday afternoon when Leitchville-Gunbower takes on White Hills.
Taylor made his debut for Leitchville, with the game fittingly against Gunbower.
Recalling what happened that day, Taylor said his first game came as a surprise after a late call-up.
“I was due to play in the under-17s and someone pulled out of the seniors, and I got the call up,” Taylor said.
“It was a good day, I probably didn’t have much time to be nervous because I didn’t get told until the day.”
One of the players who ran out alongside Taylor that day was his father Len, something that Taylor said was a special moment.
His debut was the only senior game Taylor played in 1989. After spending a majority of the following year with the seniors, he tasted premiership success in 1991.
Taylor, or Oyster, as he is commonly known, played in every senior game that season, helping Leitchville make history with a stunning win in the grand final over Moama.
“We were a pretty good team and we made the grand final that year,” Taylor said.
“We came up against Moama and they were red-hot favourites that year. They even had T-shirts printed up but we rolled them on the day.
“They were favourites and nobody really gave us a chance, but we started well and we ended up winning by seven goals, it was a pretty good win.”
That was the first of three senior premierships for Taylor — he also played in flag-winning sides in ’94 and ’95.
“You play a lot of footy, but winning the grand final, there is no better feeling in footy,” he said.
Originally playing for Leitchville, Taylor continued with the club after they merged with Gunbower in 1995.
“Back then to me, footy was easy because we were winning flags,” he said.
“I didn’t think we needed to merge because I was young and we were winning, but in the end, it was probably the best thing the clubs have done."
Saturday’s game will undoubtedly be a big occasion for Taylor and the club, and it is just the latest milestone in his illustrious career.
Taylor is also the games record holder at Leitchville-Gunbower, having surpassed his father Len’s former benchmark.
“It was something I never really thought of,” Taylor said.
“I just kept playing and playing and then I was told if I played a few more games I would pass my old man. I never thought I’d do that.”
The Taylor family has a strong connection with the Leitchville and Leitchville Gunbower. Craig, his father and grandfather have all won senior flags at the club, and their family history is set to continue into the next generation.
Not only did Craig play with his father back in the day, but last year he also had the opportunity to take to the field with his own son, Bailey.
“Last year it was the second last game, we were a bit short, and they said there was an opportunity to play with Bailey if you want and I said ‘bloody oath’.
“I’ve only played one game with him, but I am still very proud of that.”
Taylor wore the number 29 for more than 20 years during his career, with Bailey now donning the famous guernsey.
“Hopefully it’s a number that’s going to have a Taylor name for a long time,“ he said.
As for the best players he’s shared the field with during his career, Taylor said it is too tough of a call to make.
I can’t name them, there is that many,” he said.
“It’s hard, I don’t want to leave anyone out — there are so many great players that I have played with.
In a career that has spanned more than three decades, Taylor said he has had a few superstitions along the way.
He used to wear the same pair of jocks on game days — washing them during the week, but only wearing them on Saturdays — and for a while his go-to pre-game meal was spaghetti on toast.
Heading into his latest milestone, the soon to be 400-gamer shared some advice for players out there.
“Play footy as long as you can,” he said.
“I get called a ‘silly old p****’ on the field sometimes and maybe I am, but I still love playing.
“I think people retire too early, I think you should play as long as you can. Don’t listen to outside noise about people saying you are too old. If you can play, play.
“Enjoy playing footy, enjoy your teammates and enjoy everything about it.”
Leitchville-Gunbower will be hoping to celebrate Taylor’s milestone with a win, with its senior side hoping to pick up its second victory in 2022 when it faces White Hills.
The Bombers (1-13) will take on a Demons outfit (6-8) that are battling to make the finals this season.
White Hills is in sixth place on the ladder, sitting just behind Heathcote in fifth by percentage.