Veteran Mitchell Park footballer lines up alongside teenage son

A MITCHELL Park footballer has lined up alongside his teenage son in a match that was one mate’s 300th and another’s farewell.

JOE Leck could not have planned it any better.

After “hanging in there” for years, Leck, 43, finally got the chance to line up alongside his son Nick for Mitchell Park against Flinders University in division seven reserves of the amateur league on June 6.

Not only did Nick – a Westminster First XVIII and Glenelg under-16 wingman – boot three goals in a best-on-ground performance, the Lions won by 119 points.

But much more than that; it was also the final game for Leck’s best mate Adam “Sarge” Hay and long-time teammate Mark “Sanbo” Sansome’s 300th match.

“We couldn’t have scripted it,” Leck says.

“I’ve played in premierships, won medals and whatnot, but this goes at the top of the list.

“I was a proud as punch dad.

“Sarge is one of those club guys and I call him my wingman ... and Sanbo is a club legend.”

Hay and Sansome decided to pull on the boots once they learnt Nick, 16, had a bye with Westminster.

Sansome is one of Nick’s former junior coaches, while Leck says Hay is “like another dad” to his son.

“It just all fell into place,” Leck says.

“We carried Sanbo off then we chucked Nick in the middle of the circle while singing the song and chucked water on him.”

Leck, of Park Holme, has played more than 370 games for the Lions, including two premierships, since joining the club at 16.

Nick is a Lions junior, of course, and all but grew up at the club.

“It was something I’ve wanted to do for years and we’ve been waiting until I was old enough,” Nick says of his senior debut.

“It was fun but a few times instead of calling him Joe or Lecky, I called him dad, which was interesting.”

Leck says the club has been a huge part of his life but this season might be his last.

“I’ve stuck through the highs and lows ... but the body is getting harder and harder to back up each week.

“This is the main reason I’ve been hanging in there – to achieve that goal of playing with Nick.”