Southern league: Four Moorabbin Kangaroos players reach significant milestones

He came from Samoa at 14, took up footy at 16 and has never stopped playing. Legendary local footballer Fia Tootoo plays his 400th senior game for Moorabbin Kangaroos.

Fia Tootoo gets away a handball for Moorabbin Kangaroos. Picture: Valeriu Campan

“Fia’s the main attraction,’’ Moorabbin Football Club president Muhammad Kiki said.

The Kangaroos are gearing up for a bumper day of milestones on Saturday, with club champions James Parker (250 games), Matt Johansson (200) and Muhammad Kiki (200) being recognised for their service.

But the biggest round of applause will be for Fia Tootoo, who will play his 400th senior game.

Moorabbin Kangaroos host Dandenong at Widdop Crescent Reserve and Kiki is calling on all club supporters to come out and get behind the milestone men and, “make a day and night of it’’.

Tootoo has been a champion player in various leagues, including Gippsland, Mornington Peninsula, Eastern and Southern.

Fia Tootoo playing for Nyora Saints.

At Moorabbin, where he was a premiership player in 2005, he’s held in the highest regard, especially after returning to the club a couple of years ago when it was at its lowest point.

“He was watching us play Lyndhurst two years ago, we were getting flogged, I think we lost by 30 goals in the seniors and reserves,’’ Kiki said.

“Next day I got a call from him. He said, ‘I’m coming back’.

“He put his hand up and said, ‘how can I help?’’’

James Parker.

Muhammed Kiki.

Tootoo says Moorabbin means a lot to him.

“I didn’t want to see the club go down,’’ he said.

“I was always going to go back there at some stage.’’

Tootoo, who jokes he’s “41 turning 80’’, has played a lot of footy since taking it up at 16, two years after coming from Samoa.

“I had to learn to speak the language,’’ he said.

“Footy was my escape.

“I’ve made a lot of friends from footy.’’

This season Tootoo is coaching the Kangaroos’ reserves and also playing.

“I’m ejoying it, helping develop the young players,’’ he said.

“I’m just trying to make sure twos footy is as fun as it can be. I think we are at the moment, we’re competitive.’’

Matthew Johansson of Moorabbin.

Tootoo said he was proud of fellow milestone men Parker, Johansson and Kiki, champions of the club who deserve recognition after going “through thick and thin’’ at Moorabbin.

Parker is a league and club best and fairest winner.

Johansson is a two-time premiership player and four-time best and fairest winner.

Kiki is a two-time premiership player, two-time best and fairest, club president and has given the club over 20 years of service.

Tootoo’s footy credentials make for impressive reading: premiership coach, 6 x premiership player, 5 x Best & Fairests and 2 x League Best & Fairests.

“He’s an incredible human as well, really motivating,’’ Kiki said.

“It’s just the way he speaks to the people, mate. He puts other people first.

“He’s become this real figurehead at our footy club. People listen to him. His perspective on the game is unique the way he looks at it.

“We’re really proud of him.’’