MPNFL 2018: Frankston Bombers player Travis Reints to play 300th game in last round

TRAVIS Reints was going through his final preparations for the 2009 grand final when disaster struck.

Frankston Bomber Travis Reints (right) is on the verge of the 300-game milestone.

TRAVIS Reints was going through his final preparations for the 2009 grand final when disaster struck.

It was Thursday night training and the popular Frankston Bombers player grabbed the back of his leg. He’d torn his hamstring.

It forced him to miss the Bombers’ premiership triumph over Sorrento two days later.

The heartbreak still haunts the 38-year-old, who on Saturday will cap a splendid career when he plays his 300th game when he runs out with the Bombers’ reserves.

“Yeah, I think about it a fair bit, especially with next year being their 10th year reunion,’’ Reints said of missing the ’09 flag.

“That was probably one of the lowlights of the career — (I’ve had) plenty of highlights but not too many lowlights, but that was definitely one of them.’’ Reints, though, said there was a silver-lining in the disappointment.

Frankston Bomber Travis Reints.

“I was probably ready to walk away at that stage,’’ he said.

“I started to get some injury concerns, I was 29 then, and ‘Blackers’ (Bombers coach Tony Blackford) rang me up and said, ‘Would you be interested in maybe coaching the twos and keeping involved in that?’

“I ended up playing another 10 years.’’

Reints has been a wholehearted footballer, predominantly for Pearcedale and the Frankston Bombers.

He started with Pearcedale in 1997 and went on to play in a flag with the Dales, logging 107 senior appearances.

Reints playing with Pearcedale in 2006.

Reints had a season in the VFL with the Frankston Dolphins before making his home at the Bombers, where he’s played 81 senior games and 58 in the ressies.

He lists Luke Damon, Chris Fortnam, Chris Irving, Ash Charles, Jay Reynolds and Brian O’Carroll as the best he’s played with.

And he’s always enjoyed playing against Crib Point.

“I used to love playing against the Cribby boys because it was always hard and tough but when you come off we all had a beer and it was good fun,’’ he said.

Blackford said Reints was a fearless in-and-under player and a good man to have in your side.

“He was a really good on-field leader, a good leader of men, always put his body on the line.’’

Frankston Bombers will celebrate Reints’ milestone on Saturday.