North Old Boys-St Patrick’s Daniel Tonkin and Scott Sleep share 300th-game milestone

HAD it not been for football, North Old Boys-St Patrick’s Daniel Tonkin and Scott Sleep may never have crossed paths.

North Old Boys-St Patrick's footballers Daniel Tonkin and Scott Sleep bring up their 300 game milestone at A.G Gillon Oval Brunswick West. Pictures:Angie Basdekis

HAD it not been for football, Daniel Tonkin and Scott Sleep may never have crossed paths.

Tonkin was already playing for North Old Boys-St Patrick’s when Sleep arrived at the club in 1996 after moving to Melbourne to study at Victoria University.

Not long after, a friendship between the pair was born that has now spanned almost two decades and involved Tonkin serving as one of Sleep’s groomsmen at his wedding.

It seemed only fitting the pair celebrated their 300th game for the Victorian Amateur Football Association club together during its 107-point win over Melbourne High School Old Boys on May 31.

“He’s been a very good friend for close to 20 years now, so to be able to do it with him just added to the whole occasion,” Sleep said.

“We met down at the club. I lived out at the student village in Maribyrnong after I moved down to go to university and a couple of guys were recruited to go down there. I tagged along, ended up making a couple of great friends and stayed.”

Tonkin shone in the milestone match, slotting five goals, while Sleep was named among NOBS’ best players.

Sleep said everything seemed to go right for his side on the day.

“It wasn’t only the result, the weather was perfect and there was no wind, which never happens down at Brunswick,” he said.

“Daniel and I ended up playing (300 games) on the same day, it seemed like all the stars aligned.”

The 39-year-old Yarraville resident admitted 2014 would be his last season, saying he was ready to devote weekends to his family.

But NOBS will always hold a special place.

“Coming down from Mildura I didn’t have any family down here, but when I first started there was a real sense of community,” he said.

Sleep said he hoped to go out on a high, rating Therry Penola and Williamstown CYMS as the greatest premiership threats.

NOBS president Tim Purdey said the pair were “top blokes”.

“They’ve been great contributors,” Purdey said.