Glenelg skipper Max Proud patiently waiting to play milestone match
Glenelg premiership defender and new club captain Max Proud will have to wait a bit longer to finally reach 100 league games.
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New Glenelg captain Max Proud should be preparing to play his 100th league game against South Adelaide at Noarlunga on Good Friday.
That milestone has been a long-time coming for Proud, who contemplated hanging up his boots two years ago after enduring three years of serious injuries.
But the 28-year-old will have to wait a little longer with all SANFL games being postponed amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Instead of gearing up for his 100th game, Proud revealed on SEN’s Kymbo and the Rooch he was about to head into a Zoom meeting with coach Mark Stone and a few teammates.
Although unsure how long it will take to reach the milestone, Proud has faced many obstacles over his career and knows the importance of being patient.
“I have to wait a bit longer but as long as I get there, that’s the main thing,” Proud said.
“I’ve got a Zoom meeting later today with the coach and a few players — we still look ahead and keep in touch.
“I had a bad run with injuries over the few years.
“Then when I finally worked my way back into the league side I got a knee to the face in the third quarter at The Parade.
“I had to get four plates in my cheek bone and that was a point where I was like ‘why do I keep doing it?’
“But that was a knee-jerk reaction and I was able to speak with some people and I wasn’t satisfied with what I had achieved so I thought I may as well stick around.
“Ever since then things have turned around for me.”
Proud said players were still training individually and away from the club as all were eager to defend their flag after breaking a 33-year premiership drought if and when the 2020 season got underway.
“We are keeping programs up because you don’t want to lose fitness.
“It is a bit of a different experience but it’s important to keep everyone united.
“Last year was a fairytale … but a lot of hard work went into that.
“We are wanting to keep that going and try to build into the future as well.”
Glenelg has also joined a growing list of SANFL clubs calling on its supporters for financial help during the COVID-19 crisis.
The club has started a fundraising page called Fight X Fight X Win and has also released a 2019 premiership year book and wine to help generate income.
Proud encouraged fans to get behind the club to help it get through the challenging times ahead.