Richie ‘Factor’ Milne to break St Peter’s Old Collegians all-time games record with 384th appearance

With 383 games under his belt, this star will make history when he runs out for the Adelaide Footy League club he has called home for 28 years.

An Adelaide Footy League club legend will break the all-time senior games record for his club on Saturday as he runs out for the 384th time in 28 years.

St Peter’s Old Collegians veteran Richie ‘Factor’ Milne is kicking strong for the club’s D Grade side as it aims for its third flag in the league’s C7 division.

The 45-year-old will break Saints’ longstanding games record of 383, held by stalwart Steve Brookman, who remains a runner for the club.

“It’s an honour,” Milne said of his achievement.

“I’ve got so much respect for Brooksy (Steve Brookman) – he’s an absolute legend of the club.

“I’m really humbled to break the record of a champion of the club – it should be good fun.”

St Peter’s OC club legend Richie ‘Factor’ Milne before his 350th game in 2019. He will play a record-breaking game number 384 on Saturday. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

Milne – nicknamed ‘Factor’ for his ability to impact a game in short amounts of time – started his senior career at SPOC in 1994 as a half-forward and won back-to-back premierships in 1995 and 1996 with the club’s A Grade side.

He played 200 games in the As before moving down to B Grade, winning another premiership in 2009 before reinventing himself as a ruckman and winning another two flags in the club’s D Grade team.

“I’ve enjoyed the back half of my career as much as I enjoyed the first half, even if I’m much less mobile now,” Milne said.

“It’s a lot of good banter and good fun, good mateships at the moment so I’m still really enjoying my time at the club.”

Milne has become a popular figure at Saints and is revered by many as one of its true legends.

He said the welcoming nature of the 96-year-old club was key to such a lengthy career.

Milne has loved every bit of his time at SPOC and is looking to push for 400 games played. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

“SPOC is such a great community and has a fantastic family environment,” Milne said.

“Of course I’ve loved footy since a young age which is important but building friendships and just having a good time with everyone is what has kept me around.”

The veteran ruckman is looking to add to the club’s family environment on Saturday by playing alongside his son – Year 10 St Peter’s College student Charlie – in his record-breaking game.

“Charlie has a strong connection with Saints already and I’d love to play a game with him – we just have to work out some registration hurdles,” Milne said.

Holme’s side goes head-to-head with Rostrevor Old Collegians in round nine and while the stalwart is considering a push for 400 games, his mind still remains on the task at hand.

“I want to keep winning each week and win another flag with the D Grade,” he said.

“ROCs are another great club with great history and I know a lot of the players there so I’m hoping we can get the win to celebrate the occasion.

“I’ll worry about playing 400 games when I get there.”