LAST weekend Matt Perry became the first Trinity Old Scholar in club history to reach 250 games after beginning his career with the club as a year 12 student in its inaugural season in 2006.
Perry, who has won both an A-grade and B-grade premiership with the club, amassed over 560 goals over the span, including a career high 12 goals against Brahma Lodge playing as a medium-sized forward.
He said he has noticed a slight decline in his athletic prowess over the past few years, but was determined to hit some milestones before hanging up the boots.
“It’s probably what kept me playing this year – I really wanted to get to 250, and luckily I was able to even with the shortened season,” he said.
“There’s probably six or seven blokes left at the club from my year at school, but they joined the club a season or two later than me so I’ve got a bit of a gap on them still.
“I just love footy – I love being committed to the club, and seeing all the changes and the young blokes coming through – after a few years I just decided to keep going, and obviously I’ve been lucky with injuries.”
With another club-first milestone ticked off, and a young family at home, Perry acknowledged he is close to the end.
“I’m self-employed, I have two young girls, so it’s the question of ‘do you stop before you break down, or keep going until you can’t anymore’,” he said.
“I was thinking about hanging up the boots before this season, but I pretty much say it every year and when the time comes, I go around again.
“The club’s turning into a lot more of a family orientated club with a few of the older heads hanging around – everyone’s got kids now, so it’s a lot different than it was when I started there.”