The Deniliquin Rovers Football & Netball Club has celebrated several significant games records in the first part of the season.
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A trio of club legends have reached some of the club’s biggest milestones so far.
After a few big milestones in previous seasons, Rovers’ Daniel Mison became the club’s games record holder with 422 games.
Meanwhile, Alex Rourke and Damian Hope became the 17th and 18th members of the Rovers’ 300 game club, respectively.
Mison, affectionately known as Mouse, has achieved the club games record mostly as a senior player, but with a few junior games included.
He surpassed Liam Fleming’s long-time record at a Memorial Park home game against Dookie United in round nine, during the Kings’ Birthday long weekend.
Fleming set his record in 2018, after surpassing Noel Buckley’s 2012 record of 400 games.
This year’s club record milestone weekend also saw Mison reach 400 senior games between the seniors and reserves.
He has been a long-time leader on the field, having captained many sides and the general of the reserves' backline for more than a decade.
Mison has seen the club through some tough times when playing both a reserves and seniors game was a necessity, and has also been through the best of times, winning multiple grand finals in the number 13 jumper.
For the milestone weekend, he also got to run out in a gold detailed jumper with family and friends watching on.
Mison said there’s more to being part of country footy to just turning up.
“(It takes) commitment, dedication, enjoyment of the game, and a lot of luck with injuries,” he said.
“As the years get on you have to look after your body a bit more.”
A formidable milestone to reach, Mison said he only recently realised the club’s game record was surmountable.
“It was not until the last couple of years where I sort of knew I was close, and thought I am still holding up okay and playing okay.”
Having played more than 20 years, Mison has established himself as a ferocious and selfless full back for the Rovers in the reserves.
Over that time, he has had plenty of memorable moments.
“There are plenty of good memories over the years. The three-peat premierships are high up there, but I also loved getting wins when times were tough.
“One game that stands out was one of Liam Fleming’s milestone games at home against Picola in 2014.
“We hadn’t won all year, losing games by 100 to 200 points, but for that game we got up and won - even after many of us had played a full game of reserves prior.
“Winning those games you aren’t supposed to really brings the team and club together.”
Mison said he still felt some nerves ahead of his 422nd game, but was humble as ever.
She shared the milestone weekend with Hope in his 300th game, and Brayden Jones who played his 200th club match.
The perennial backman, Mison wasn’t able to get forward for any goal-scoring heroics but played an important role down back as the team won by five points 7.7 (49) to 7.2 (44).
“I was pretty nervous, which I don’t normally get like, and hoping for the win with not just me but Chinga (Damian Hope) playing his 300th game and BJ (Brayden Jones) playing his 200th.
“I wanted those guys to enjoy their day and not take anything away from them.
“I was also hoping to slot forward and sneak a goal, but the game was just too close so I had to play my role.”
Ahead of that same match and his own milestone, Hope had been an important player at the club for many years.
“A skilful and highly respected player, Damian has built his career on determination, consistency, and an outstanding ability to win the contested ball,” the club said.
“His commitment to the Rovers over so many years has made him a valued teammate and a significant contributor to the club's success.”
Two weeks earlier, at a Memorial Park home game against Picola United, Rourke notched up his 300th game.
He is described as another of the club’s most loyal individuals.
Rourke said the camaraderie with those at the club was a big part of what made the triple century possible.
“It takes a lot of commitment to play 300 games I guess.
“It’s a long time to get there, but when you’re around a good group of people it makes it a bit easier.
“I’ve made some good friends down at the club, and a lot of my close mates from my school days are still playing or part of the club. That helps you keep coming back week after week.”
Rourke said he never played to reach such a big milestone, but his enjoyment over time got him there.
“It’s nothing I ever thought about; you don’t play just to rack up the games, you play because you have a love for the sport.
“I have kept coming back to Rovers because it just a great place to be a part of.”
Rourke said he had experienced some fond moments of personal and team success, but in particular enjoyed his time with the playing group.
“Highlights over my career would have to be the three premierships I have played in (one in the thirds and two in the reserves) and being reserves best and fairest and league runner-up in the same year.
“But the best parts are just playing with a good group of mates, week-in and week-out.”
In Rourke’s milestone match, the Rovers achieved a 41-point win against Picola in round seven due to a strong second half.
Rourke said he prepared for the game just like any other, but was able to enjoy a special family moment as part of the occasion.
“I just treated it like any other, went through my pre-game rituals and warm up.
“I got to run out onto the ground with my little girl (Olivia) though, which was pretty cool!”