Foundation Burleigh Bombette Anne-Marie Geary never thought she’d get the chance to play her 50th game for the Burleigh Football Club

This foundation Burleigh star never thought she’d get the chance to play her 50th game for the Burleigh Football Club.

ANN-MARIE Geary never thought she’d get the chance to play her 50th game for the Burleigh Football Club.

A foundation Bombette, Geary has been with the team since they formed five years ago and established a reputation as one of the competitions most feared midfielders.

But in 2019, Geary moved to Melbourne to pursue her career in the AFL industry all while sitting three games shy of her 50 game milestone.

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She spent last season playing for the Yarraville Eagles and had completed a full pre-season with the club this year when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and she was placed on stand-down from work, paving her path back to the Gold Coast in April.

Anne-Marie Geary played her 50th game for the Burleigh Bombettes this month. Pic: Supplied.

Earlier this month against Mt Gravatt in the QFAW Division One league, the 33-year-old finally brought up her milestone with a 75-7 victory.

“It was even more special for me because I’d moved to Melbourne and didn’t get the chance to play the 2019 grand final with the girls but then I got stood down from work and came back to Burleigh,” Geary said.

“I was sitting on 47 games when I left so I probably wouldn’t have gotten to 50 if not for COVID.

“It’s only me and one other girl who has been there from our first season so I’m one of the older ones but they organised a champagne shower for me and a sign as well.

“I don’t think I could have gotten through this whole period without the girls getting around me.

“I’ve been gone for a year and it doesn’t feel like I’ve left.”

Anne-Marie Geary (holding sign) played her 50th game for the Burleigh Bombettes this month. Pic: Supplied.

Unfortunately for Geary, it was “50 and out” after she suffered a minor hamstring tear the following week against Morningside.

But Geary will make her return on Saturday morning against Broadbeach as Burleigh look to solidify their finals position.

“Some of the younger girls coming through, some of them are 17, 18 and 19, they’re running rings around me now,” she said.

“They were a bit raw at the start of the season but they’ve gained a bit of confidence now which is super exciting.”

EARLIER: 50 GAMES LATER AND THESE CATS AREN’T WORN OUT YET

THEY’VE won a premiership together, played together since 2017, co-captained their team together but their 50 game milestones came one match apart.

Broadbeach Cats co-captains Rebecca Goodwin and Holly Thompson both joined the club in 2017 and won a premiership the same year before forging an unbreakable friendship in the years that followed.

On Saturday against Moreton Bay, it was Goodwin’s turn to play 50 games for the Cats just a week after Thompson reached the same feat against Robina.

Fortunately, both milestone matches resulted in a win as the Cats continue their charge towards the QFAW Division One finals.

Broadbeach Cats co-captains Rebecca Goodwin (left) and Holly Thompson (right) achieved their 50 game milestones in back to back QFAW Division One victories. Pic: Brooke Sleep.

While Thompson was surprised on the day, Goodwin had a weeks’ notice – even designing custom shirts complete with the slogan ’50 games later and this cat isn’t worn out,’ for the occasion.

“I’m proud to have done it for this club but I probably should have more of an idea of what I’m doing after 50 games,” Goodwin, the 2019 QFAW Division One league best and fairest said.

“It’s pretty special to be on the field and captaining with my best mate because no one has your back quite like your bestie.”

Thompson added: “I’m happy all 50 games have been for Broadbeach and obviously winning a premiership was a highlight.”

“I went out a bit nervous and kicked a behind in the first few minutes but I finally got a goal in the last quarter and all my teammates got around me which was a great feeling.”

With two games to go, the Cats sit third on the ladder and both players believe their side has what it takes to be competitive in finals.

“We have a lot of new girls in the side this year and every game we’re starting to play more as a team than individuals,” Thompson said.

Goodwin added: “We are building and learning to play together as a group so we’ll look to step it up a gear in finals.”