Tigers back Dillon Rogers to play 200th men’s game with club
They may not have always been glorious seasons, but this North Cairns player wouldn’t change a thing as he marches towards a historic milestone this weekend >>>
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Dillon ‘Dozer’ Rogers has learnt two things since joining North Cairns: winning isn’t everything, but family is.
The 28-year-old has a part of that Tigerland his whole life, having played since juniors in 1999.
This weekend, he will play his 200th men’s game in the black and gold.
“I’ve played 199 other games so it’s a bit like the others, but there is a special thing with it,” Rogers said.
“It’s about time I reckon.”
Rogers’ family is ingrained in the culture of Watsons Park, with his grandmother Edna and father Danny president and seniors best and fairest in 1992 respectively.
Both are now life members.
“Saturday was always just the footy,” Rogers said.
“When you’re growing up, I’d go to footy games as a kid and watch dad play, then on Thursday night’s you’re at training.
“On Saturday’s you’re sleeping at the club until you’re parents are done and then you finally play juniors on the Sunday.
“Now it’s the ritual of playing seniors on Saturday, and my dad and nan are there watching me, and me and him are having beers afterwards.”
It’s been a bumpy road of a journey for the Tigers across the last two decades.
While the club’s women’s and reserves teams have had their share of premiership success, the seniors squad hasn’t hoisted a flag since 1988.
More recently, the team was riding a more than 1500 day losing streak which was snapped earlier this year with a two-point win over Manunda.
Rogers has been one of the only players still standing from there last victory, also against the Hawks.
“It was nearly the same as winning a premiership after a drought that long,” Rogers said.
Much like his grandmother and father before him, Rogers has been a talisman for the Tigers through thick and thin.
The backman’s efforts have been acknowledged by his teammate’s, most recently when he was anointed club MVP last season.
“That was something I always wanted to do because my father won it too – his name’s on the wall and his photo so I wanted to be up there with him,” he said.
Another shining moment Rogers shared with his dad was the 2013 reserves premiership, in which Dillon played and Danny coached.
But a light at the end of the tunnel appears to be on the horizon for North Cairns’ senior side, with new coach Jason Tom bringing in with him hope for a better future.
“When I first started playing, we were in a similar position,” Rogers said.
“We had a new coach – Kane Richtor who came in and turned things around, then in the space of two years we had both teams in the premiership.
“We went through the drought of the coaches and players not coming to the club to having Jase Tom come in his first season, you really feel the difference.
“You feel the hope that we’re going somewhere now with all the new players on board, it’s a terrific feeling knowing we’ll be competitive for the years to come.”
North Cairns will face Centrals Trinity Beach at Watsons Oval at 2.30pm on Saturday.
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Originally published as Tigers back Dillon Rogers to play 200th men’s game with club
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