East Burwood stalwart Craig O’Malley notches 450 games at the Eastern Football League club

THERE’S an excitement that rises in East Burwood stalwart Craig O’Malley’s voice when he speaks of East Burwood’s turnaround, with the Rams notching a feat not achieved in 16 years.

East Burwood stalwart Craig O'Malley. Picture: Supplied

THERE’S an excitement that rises in Craig O’Malley’s voice when he speaks of East Burwood’s turnaround.

It’s only a month into the Eastern Football League season, but the former competition powerhouse has won its opening four games of the year for the first time since 2002.

Many have left the Rams over the past few years as the club has slid from Division 1 to Division 4 since 2013.

But one-club player O’Malley has remained loyal to the Rams, where he first pulled on the boots as an eight-year-old in the under-10s in 1990.

On Saturday he brought up his 450th game for East Burwood, a total comprising 167 junior appearances and 283 seniors outings.

And the 36-year-old did not show his age, listed among the Rams’ best players in the loss to Forest Hill.

“I’ve been there all my life and it just feels like a second home — it would feel weird not to play footy on a Saturday arvo,” O’Malley said.

“I’ve been pretty lucky really, no real serious ones (injuries), so just find it a good way to keep fit and the camaraderie, I love it.”

Craig O'Malley flies for a mark in 2010.

O’Malley arrived at East Burwood through his older brother Greg, who was already in the junior ranks.

While plenty have moved on since, he said he had only briefly contemplated leaving when some mates went and played at Moama.

“I just thought a change playing country footy might’ve been fun with some other mates that I hadn’t played footy with before,” he said.

“I think deep down I never really thought that I would play anywhere else.”

O’Malley’s work as a committee member and sponsor of the club has been just as significant as his services as a player, his proudest moment coming when he was honoured with life membership in 2010.

He has coached the Rams’ juniors, organised countless social functions and contributed generously to the club through his business as a sponsor.

“A lot of people, for various reasons, played at the club and left and chased other things but he is one of these guys who has stuck fat and stayed with us the whole time,” secretary John Brady said.

“It’s great now to see these guys enjoying some early season success because they did hang around, whereas plenty of others have decided to go to other clubs.

“It is great guys like Craig, who has been through the lean years, are now there to enjoy it.”

O’Malley’s said he would play on in 2019, wanting to bring up his 300th senior game to achieve league life membership.

He may also see East Burwood end an 18-year premiership wait later this year.

“The feeling around the joint is incredible, so exciting to play again, I’m just loving it,” he said.

“Just the people around the place, you just look forward to catching up with people every week and having a beer and everything else that comes with being at a footy club.”