Christian Brothers College Old Collegians player Matt Kromwyk breaks SA amateur club’s record by racking up 332 matches
HIS left knee is knackered, back is stuffed and pelvis is tilted but it has not stopped this Adelaide footy player making history for his club.
HIS left knee is knackered, back is stuffed and pelvis is tilted.
But Matt Kromwyk’s body has stood up just long enough for him to break CBC Old Collegians Football Club’s games record.
Kromwyk, of Black Forest, passed Greg Cain’s mark of 332 matches in the Dolphins’ 54-point loss to Lockleys in the C5 competition last month.
After two knee reconstructions, countless hamstring strains and many sore Sundays, Kromwyk doubts he will play again.
“Pretty much I’m shot,” Kromwyk, 44, says.
“In the end, that (record) was probably the last goal. My back’s not right, I’ve got a tilted pelvis and I’ve done some damage again to my reconstructed knee – there’s some more cartilage floating around.
“It’s been a long and quite difficult road to get where I have.
“I may sneak out for one more game here or there, but, nah, I’m finished.”
Kromwyk followed a university mate to the Dolphins in 1994 after wrecking his knee.
“I saw them play at North Pines and win by about 40 goals so thought I’d come out for a kick and muck around.”
Kromwyk says he has always been made to feel welcome despite not being a CBC old scholar.
“It’s a great place to be and you really feel like you belong.”
Playing his 300th match on the same day several teammates celebrated milestones is a highlight, along with his three premierships – in 2012, 2014 and last year.
“I had to wait 254 games before I got my first (flag).
“I’d missed out on the A-grade premiership in 2004 with a separated shoulder.”
“To finally crack one was enormous.”
Kromwyk reckons he will miss playing.
“But then I get that reminder how much damage I’m doing to myself.
“I won’t miss the trainings and I won’t miss feeling sore on a bloody Sunday.”
Kromwyk intends to stick around the club, which he regards as a second home, as a supporter.
“It’s been a big, big part of my life,” he says.
“I’ll have to step back from participating but I’ll always be around the place.”