Sunbury football legend Jamie Cuffe still playing at 46

AT 46, most people’s involvement at local footy is helping out behind the scenes. But not Sunbury legend Jamie Cuffe, who has pulled the boots back on and is loving it as much as ever.

Jamie Cuffe marks during the June 20 match between Sunbury and Broadford. Picture: Hamish Blair

THIS was the year Jamie Cuffe was finally meant to take a step back.

At 46, the veteran ruckman’s playing days were supposed to be behind him after a near 30-year senior career which started at Romsey and has included stints with Gisborne, Keilor and Sunbury Kangaroos.

The club legend had been earmarked for the role of football manager to provide support for the Roos’ Riddell District Football League coach Anthony Leydin in his first year at the helm.

Then fate intervened.

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Beset by a raft of player departures and injuries, Sunbury Kangaroos promoted Cuffe after two reserves games for his senior return against Macedon in Round 4.

“They reckon I’ve had more comebacks than Johnny Farnham,” Cuffe said.

“I never say never anymore.”

Cuffe was still a teenager when he made his senior debut for Romsey and believes he has played more than 100 games with his eldest son Tierone.

“I was always intending to play a few games through the twos, be involved there and help out some of the younger kids coming through,” he said. “But we got a little bit thin through the seniors and I became the next choice, I guess.”

There was only one warning Jamie gave Tierone before they played their first match together several years ago.

“I had to tell him early days, he’s not allowed to call me dad on the field,” he said.

“That is just not on. Makes you feel a bit too old.”

Cuffe said it was unlikely he would play with his youngest son Braydan, a member of the Roos’ under-19.5 team.

However, it would be foolish to completely dismiss the possibility, considering his longevity.

“I do love playing footy (but) it’s harder now,” he said.

“The missus always used to support me when I was younger, now she just thinks I’m a silly old fool.”

Cuffe grew up in an era where AFL legends such as Kevin Bartlett, Alex Jesaulenko and Leigh Matthews were idolised and years before the VFL was expanded to create a national competition.

Leydin estimates the average age of his senior side has been about 25, while four under-19.5 players have earned a debut in 2018.

“You have always got that desire,” Cuffe said.

“If you think you can play, you’ll always want to play.

“Although I know I am not as good as I used to be and nowhere near as agile as I used to be, I still enjoy getting out there.”

Veteran Sunbury ruckman Jamie Cuffe.

Cuffe has provided a strong presence up forward for Sunbury Kangaroos, kicking 14 goals in nine games for a team sitting ninth on the RDFL ladder.

“We just lacked a bit of height up forward, a relief ruckman and a bit of experience,” Leydin said.

“He put his hand up and he’s been amazing, really, for the most part.

“He’s just such a great person around the club and everyone looks up to him and respects him.”

Leydin lauded Cuffe as a “great competitor” and said it had been “hard to hold him back” when the prospect of a senior return was first mooted.

“It’s been quite inspiring, what he has been able to do,” he said.

“It’s not a situation we really want to be in, having a 46-year-old suiting up.

“But it’s hard to hold him back because he is pretty young at heart.”

Leydin said Jamie and Tierone were “the heart and soul” of Sunbury Kangaroos and the club was “pretty fortunate to have people like that around”.

Cuffe, who has retired “a lot of times”, said Tierone, 26, only had one concern about him playing on.

“He is starting to get a bit worried that he might retire before I do,” he said.

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