Bendigo FL: Gisborne stalwart Shaun Comerford reaches 200-game milestone

ALMOST two decades after he played his first senior game against a team no longer in the Bendigo Football League, Gisborne’s Shaun Comerford reached the 200-game milestone.

Shaun Comerford played his 200th game for Gisborne on Saturday. Picture: David Smith.

ALMOST two decades after he played his first senior game against a team no longer in the Bendigo Football League, Gisborne’s Shaun Comerford reached the 200-game milestone on Saturday.

Comerford was 16 when he made his first senior appearance for the Dogs against Lockington, which now competes in the Heathcote District league.

The 34-year-old played his 100th match for his junior club in 2010 and has endured an injury-interrupted road to 200 games.

Two knee injuries and a calf issue have limited the loyal clubman to 22 senior matches since the start of 2015, a wretched run during which he contemplated retirement.

Comerford said the enjoyment his sons Kobi and Zak got from watching him play helped him overcome several injury blows to reach the milestone.

“Talking to a few of the boys, some of them were born in the year I played my first senior game,” Comerford said.

“That definitely makes me feel old.”

Comerford has come close to achieving the ultimate success with Gisborne, having been a member of its losing grand final sides in 2007 and 2012.

The utility played in the same under-18 side as fellow veteran Anthony Belcher, one of the few remaining players left from when he debuted.

“We played in the under-18s flag together in 2000 which was the club’s first year in the Bendigo comp,” he said.

Comerford said Gisborne had “always been a great club” and had been “relatively successful” during his career.

“I have trained at other clubs and they have just never had the same feel as what Gisborne does,” he said.

Kobi is destined to follow in his dad’s footsteps, currently playing for Gisborne Rookies, while Zak started Auskick this year.

“My two young boys love watching me play as well. That’s something else that makes me keep going back,” Comerford said.

Comerford said he had played more than 250 games in total for the club, including about 50 in the reserves and 30 under-18 matches.

“It’s been a long process, but it’s definitely been enjoyable,” he said.

The Dogs earned Comerford a victory in his milestone match on Saturday, defeating Kangaroo Flat 11.11 (77) to 7.11 (53).