600 of the best: 55-year-old ex-Sydney Swans icon boots 10 goals in milestone fixture

Former Swans icon Troy Luff notched a historic milestone at the weekend, with the 55-year-old capping his big day with an incredible bag. We catch up with the 600-game veteran.

The UNSW-ES Bulldogs community comes together to celebrate 600 games for Troy Luff. Picture: Leigh Gazzard

Troy Luff has achieved a lot throughout his Aussie rules career, but his latest accolade will stand tall among the pack.

The former 155-game Sydney Swans legend brought up his 600th game of footy at the weekend when running out for the UNSW-ES Bulldogs.

The division five fixture became a procession, with Luff kicking a bag of 10 goals to cap the milestone in the best possible way.

“It was awesome. It exceeded any expectations I could’ve imagined,” Luff said.

“The club was fantastic, the players that came to watch were fantastic. Every word to describe it comes to mind.

“It was so good.”

Troy Luff takes a mark in his 600th game. Picture: Leigh Gazzard

Despite his age, Luff has shown no signs of slowing down, sharing the same love for the game he did when he was growing up.

“It’s no different than when I was 25,” he said.

“It’s still just a game you loved to play as a kid, you loved playing as an adult and now I’m loving playing as an old man.

“I don’t think there should be an age limit to when you can and can’t play. It’s up to the body.

“I’ve got an outdoor job as a landscape gardener so I’m constantly on the move. If I sat in an office, I probably would’ve had to give it away 10 years ago.”

When asked if he’ll push on towards 700, Luff wouldn’t rule it out just yet.

“It took nine years to get to the last 100,” he said.

“That was with a couple of injuries and overseas trips. I’ll be pushing into my mid 60s so it’s highly unlikely.

“For the last 10 years I’ve said I’ll go around for one more year. I’m not going to change that. I’ll say the same at the end of this year.

“We’re only five rounds in and I want to keep myself fit enough to play overseas in the Bali Masters and Asian Championships in Thailand in August.

“If I stop playing I’ll have to train by myself.

“I’m happy to run around in division five and get a kick.”

LOOKING BACK

The peak of Luff’s AFL career came in 1996, playing a key role in Sydney’s charge to the finals, before kicking two goals in the grand final as he tried his best to will the Swans past North Melbourne alongside the likes of Paul Kelly, Tony Lockett and Michael O’Loughlin.

The lofty heights the Swans experience today weren’t always the norm, with Luff recalling a time when a cloud hung over their future.

“When I was reflecting on 600 (games) and where it all started, I thought back to the Nelson Bay days and what it was like playing for them before progressing to the Swans,” he said.

“We went from cellar dwellers and losing 26 in a row (in 1993) through to making a grand final.

Troy Luff marks over Wayne Schwass in the 1996 grand final. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

“There was a time when we were sitting in a small room underneath the Showgrounds where we trained, and it looked like we might be wound up.

“We needed backers and sponsors. It could’ve all ended in the early 90s. In 1996 things turned with an influx of players.

“Since then the Swans have been a force in the AFL. That was nearly 30 years ago and we’ve only missed the finals a few times since.”

Luff maintains close relationships with not only former teammates but some of the pioneers of Sydney, something he’s encouraging modern players to do.

“I’m still in touch with some of the old Swans players. At games I’ll always bump into players, and it’s always good to have a chat at catch ups,” he said.

“When I attend these events I make a point of seeing the guys from the 60s and 70s, and having a chat with some of the legends of the game.

“It’s something the young blokes don’t do enough. Some don’t know who played in the last decade. It’s important to know that history of the club.”

Originally published as 600 of the best: 55-year-old ex-Sydney Swans icon boots 10 goals in milestone fixture