Jack Hudson
FOR the first time in the West Coast Eagles’ 34-year AFL history, they will have a 300-gamer.
Angaston-born Shannon “Bunga” Hurn this season took over the record of most games for the Eagles from Dean Cox, and he now goes into this weekend’s match against Collingwood at the MCG preparing to make history.
“I feel quite proud and honoured to get to 300 games,” said Hurn, 33, the son of former Central District player William Hurn, and the grandson of South Australian cricketer and former Angaston mayor, the late Brian Hurn.
“I’ve been really fortunate to be at West Coast,” he said.
“I still remember coming into the club. When you’re young you want to play AFL, when you’re older you just want to get the best out of yourself and give back to the group.
“The more games you play, yes that’s a milestone.
"But for me, it’s that I enjoy I playing my football. It’s about contributing to the group. I understand the significance for the club and the AFL, but hopefully after a week people forget about it and I can just go on and play.”
Hurn was captain of the Eagles when they won the 2018 AFL premiership in a thriller against the Magpies and relinquished the role at the end of 2019.
However, that has not stopped his leadership-led nature.
“I still try to help players, set direction and lead by example,” he said.
“But I have a touch more freedom throughout the week.
“Game day is exactly the same, but I have more time to pass on stuff to players with vision and that sort of thing.
“Team success motivates me to keep going. And getting the most out of myself to help the team.
“The mental factor is really important. Scoreboard, opposition, crowd.
“There are pressures everywhere. It’s about the mindset you have and you have to keep fresh. Keeping your body fresh is important too.”
Hurn confessed when he was younger he thought a return to his native South Australia would be on the cards, but that quickly changed.
“When I was young I always thought I would like to go back to SA, but after six months here I understood that this was a very good football club,” he said.
“Once I was here, I never wanted to play anywhere else.”
When asked about his thoughts about life post-footy, Hurn said he was not set on his goals.
“I enjoy the teaching and coaching side. I have done some stuff with finance and agriculture,” he said.
“The farm. I haven’t got it set it stone yet.”
The Eagles’ clash with Collingwood is on Sunday at 1.40pm.