“We have a really good rivalry with Blighty so that made it even better and to get a win topped it off,” he said of the relevance of the timing.
The Rovers Football and Netball Club Facebook page offered a thoughtful tribute to the dedicated clubman.
“Brendan has been playing at Rovers since he was a little tacka,” the club wrote.
“He has since become an important part of our club, not only as a player and senior playing group leader but as a volunteer helping in lots of ways around the club.
“He helps with the social committee, bar person, Ute Muster just to name a few.
“He was awarded Senior Player Club Person for 2022 and this year has joined the Rovers Committee taking care of Junior Football and Junior Development.
“Good on you Hopey.”
Brendan said his footy started with good mates getting him to come and play in high school.
As for where he loves to play, he said it was “anywhere the coach puts me”.
He described his most memorable game as Liam Fleming’s 200th in 2014.
“We hadn’t looked like winning a game all year and beat Picola by a few goals, and ended up knocking them out of finals contention.
“It’s one I will always remember.”
When asked what keeps him coming back to Roverland, he said he “still really enjoys playing footy”.
“Also everyone you meet is what really makes it great, and trying to win a flag.”
Club president John Glowrey also had a glowing review of the much-loved and dependanble Roo.
“Brendan Hope is the heart and soul of Rovers,” he said.
“Both on and off the field, there is nothing that he won’t do and nothing that is too hard for the big man.
“Craig McCulloch summed it up completely when he said ‘to play 200 first grade games takes ability and loyalty, and those two things rarely go together’.
“Hopey is a key position player who leads by example.
“He has played in good sides and, when times have been tough, his loyalty and love for the club has never waivered.”
Glowrey said Brendan is only the sixth player at Rovers to play 200 senior games.
“I think he as only played one seconds game since starting his senior career; he had to come back through the seconds after an injury,” he explained.
“Hopey is still young and showing no signs of slowing down, so who knows how many games he will rack up.”
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