How long does it take to play 300 Games of Senior local footy and why am I asking?
Well in the case of Daniel “DJ” John it has been 19 years or to put it into perspective, some of our current senior boys were just a twinkle in their dad’s eye or still in nappies when DJ made his Senior debut in 2005
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.On Saturday as DJ runs out onto the mighty Quambee Reserve to take his approx. 7,000th centre bounce, he will be running out for Senior Game 300 against Montrose, but before the historians of the NRFC start calling … they are not all for us.
.The game on Saturday will be DJ’s 148th appearance for us, meaning unless the Reserves make the finals, game 150 will not be until RD 1 next year and would be remiss of the club to not honour and recognise this achievement to play 300 Senior Games over a two decade period.
Below is a brief honour to how DJ has achieved something that only 127 players have been able to do since the EFL/EFNL was founded back in 1962, whilst playing for 5 clubs.
With DJ turning 38 in November but still running around like someone 10 plus years his junior, we are confident the big fellow will be back next year to play game 150, but hopefully he will still achieve this massive milestone this year in the finals. When that occasion does arrive, a full story will be written to honour game 150 with the mighty Saints.
For those of you who have not been at the club for a long time, DJ first came to us in the pre-season of 2004, crossing over from Warrandyte as a top age Colt (U18) when it appeared that they were not going to have a team in 2005.
DJ who was now top age U18, instantly started to play in our Reserves/Seniors in 2005 due to his natural football ability and skill, playing with us until the end of the 2012 season, when he left to seek greater opportunities due to the number of current rucks we had at the club. I (Mark Jonas) remember the day DJ called me to say he was leaving and just wanted to let me know the reasons and made a promise that he would return to finish off his senior footy with the club that first gave him his opportunities and to this great man’s words he did, returning to our club in 2023 to help us out, knowing that low numbers hurt us in 2022.
Below is DJ’s journey and what he has achieved in the last 19 years;
North Ringwood Football Club
Years: 2005 – 2012
Games: 111 + Goals: 54
2005 EFL Division 3 Reserves Premiership
2011 EFL Division 3 Reserves Best & Fairest
2011 NRFC Reserves Best & Fairest
2012 EFL Division 3 Reserves Best & Fairest
Position: Ruck / Key Forward / Key back
Frankston Dolphins (VFL)
Years: 2013 (Pre-season)
Healesville Football Club
Year: 2013
Games: 15 + Goals: 10
2013 YVMDFL Div 2 Senior Premiership
Position: Back up ruck / forward / key defender
Pearcedale Football Club
Year: 2014
Games: 16 + Goals: 7
Position: Key defender / backup Ruck
Pines Football Club
Years: 2015 – 2019
Games: 89 + Goals: 4
2018 MPFNL Senior Premiership
Position: Key defender / backup ruck / Wing rotation
Randwick City Saints (AFL Sydney)
Year: 2021
Games: 10
Position: Wing / Midfield
Pines Football Club
Year: 2022
Games: 22 + Goals: 4
position: Key Defender + Ruck
North Ringwood Football Club
Years: 2023 – Present
Games: 36 + Goals: 35
Position: Ruck + Key forward
Congratulations Champ on reaching this amazing milestone, it takes a man with unbelievable resilience, determination & the love of local footy to keep fronting up year after year for 19 seasons and the fact you are still playing ruck and key forward at the age of 37 just shows the dedication you have, so trust me mate, the fact you have come back to NRFC to do this also shows the kind of man you are to keep to your word.
No matter what happens from here mate, we are just rapt to have you back at the Saints but unfortunately now Robbo knows your age, expect a few calls to come and join the Vets anytime you like
Enjoy the day mate and we look forward to doing it all again for your 150th with our club in the near future.
Go get ‘em DJ
