Brent Marshall will play his 200th senior game for Bundoora on Saturday
Bundoora is more than a footy club for Bulls skipper Brent Marshall, find out why as he prepares for his 200th senior game on Saturday.
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Bundoora is more than a footy club for Brent Marshall, it’s a family.
“Nipper” is a third generation Bull and adds another chapter to his famous family’s legacy as he plays his 200th Northern Football League senior game on Saturday against Greensborough at Yulong Reserve.
Debuting as a 17-year-old in 2008, Marshall has gone to be a two-time premiership player, premiership captain and legend of the club.
“It means a lot, all my family has played here, my uncles, my cousins, my brother-in-laws are here,” he said.
“I definitely didn’t get a choice, I played juniors at Yarrambat and I wanted to go to Epping because that’s where I grew up and were all my mates played.
“Growing up I would always come here and watch the seniors on Saturday but it was pretty daunting to come to a club like Bundoora.”
The Marshall ties run deep at the Bullring.
Grandfather, Eric, helped found the club in 1973 and has the club’s senior best-and-fairest named after him, while father, Greg, is a former player and coach.
Grandmother Margaret and mother Caroline are both life members thanks to tireless volunteer work.
And the bloodlines will only grow stronger with Brent engaged to teammate Nathan Thomas’ sister, Aleshia, while Brodric Gray is already a brother-in-law.
Marshall made his debut in 2008 against Thomastown, kicking a goal in his first appearance.
He ranks that day alongside his two premierships and his time as Bundoora captain as his best footballing memories.
Nipper was named co-captain alongside Brayden Shaw in 2014 before taking the role full-time and was joined by Luke Collins this season.
He’ll pass the torch for 2023, just short of a decade in the job.
“It will be my last year as captain and next year I’ll just focus on playing.
“That transition, how I got taught, I’ve liked to do that with Lukey and give him the reins next year.
“I love it, I really enjoy it.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to captain a grand final but it is a full-on job, you commit to junior club things, functions and meetings but I love doing it.”
The 2013 premiership is etched in local footy folklore as Bundoora rallied from 47-point down in the third quarter – kicking 11 unanswered goals.
Even Marshall wondered if victory was possible.
“At three-quarter-time, I felt personally this is going to take a massive effort and credit to the boys we did what we had to do and we took the opportunity,” he said.
That’s very special, everyone says you play footy to win flags and it’s true.
“I’d missed out in 2011 with a broken collarbone in the prelim and was wondering if I’d get another chance, so I was very lucky.”
Bundoora has been home to some famous names during Marshall’s time.
Ex-AFL players such as Gary Moorcroft, Cameron Cloke, Brayden Shaw, Ricky Dyson and current players Sam Lloyd and David Zaharakis have pulled on the navy blue and white.
However, it’s also the brilliant local players that have caught the eye, many becoming life-long friends.
“In 2011 we had Cameron Cloke and Gary Moorcroft, they were massive, then Ricky Dyson came along and I’ve become life-long friends with him,” Marshall said.
“Dave Mitchell has been a good player for a long time, Ben Shelton, Neil Gloury, Matty Dennis was a star of the competition, and back in the day with Matty Carmichael, Paul King and Trevor Crow when I was a young fella.
“Nathan Thomas, I’ve just got engaged to his sister, so he and I are pretty close and my other brother-in-law Brod Gray is here.
“Pencil, Sammy Lloyd, Hamish Shepheard, Collo, Proc – I’ve gonna forget someone and get in trouble – even Chopper, we played in a flag together in 2013, and he’s been brilliant since taking the reins.
“Everyone here I treat as a close mate of mine, whether it’s 19s, reserves up to our boys, I respect everyone that plays at Bundoora.”
Bundoora is cemented in the NFL Division 1 top three and will likely face old foe Montmorency in a qualifying final.
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Being able to hold the premiership cup aloft one more time and add a third premiership to the cabinet is the dream for Marshall.
“We’re cruising along alright, we’ve got the cattle to do it, but as I say to Chop we want to take it one step at a time,” he said.
“To get a third premiership would be excellent and I think what separates us is how tight-knit of a group we are.
“We love to hang out, we spend time with each other after footy, the culture at Bundoora is massive, I’d love to do it this year with a couple of blokes at the club – that would be special.”
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