Luke Cubby will go down in Dalby Diehards history with playing 382 games, with more to come

In more than two decades of playing rugby league for Dalby, Luke Cubby has epitomised what it means to be a Diehard. Now after his 382nd game he has become the most capped player in the club’s history, and has revealed his ‘proudest moment’ which happened to take place off the field.

Luke Cubby makes Dalby Diehards history after playing 382 games for the club. Picture: contributed

From the age of 12 and starting his rugby league career as a Dalby Devil, beloved father and now record-breaker Luke Cubby knew he wanted to play as a Diehard for as long as possible.

Even now, after 382 games, Cubby has even more reason to soldier on.

On Sunday, April 23 with a huge crowd watching from the sideline in support, the father of five eclipsed the Dalby Diehard record for most games played by a team member in club history when he ran on the field for the reserve grade side.

“I was quite emotional on Sunday,” he said.

“Just knowing the club felt that way about me and seeing how many supporters I had on the football field was great.

“A lot of people turned up, this club means a lot to me.”

Luke Cubby made Dalby Diehards history when he played his 382nd game on Sunday. Picture: contributed

The weekend not only saw an impressive, record-breaking game but on Saturday Cubby’s eldest son Lleyton Dodd held his 18th birthday which stood as a reminder as to why the father continues to play rugby league.

“One of my biggest highlights was playing with my son last year,” he said.

“I was nervous but I think Lleyton was more proud and excited to play our first game together.”

The Dalby footy player and family man credits his favourite moment ever to his son.

“My proudest moment was seeing my eldest fella graduate high school last year,” he said.

“That was one of the proudest moments of my life. His (football) team actually won their grand finals, and have won five premierships.”

Luke Cubby makes Dalby Diehards history after playing 382 games for the club. Picture: contributed.

Cubby said now he’s played with one son, and his second eldest Landon will be next.

“My second eldest son will be 17 next year and the goal is to play at least one game with him,” he said.

Cubby said it was Landon who said his dad would be allowed to hang up the boots after running on the field with him.

“I’m very proud and thankful that I’ve gotten to do this for as long as I have,” Cubby said.

The huge record-breaking achievement was previously held by former Diehards player Brenton McMillan who played an impressive 381 games for the club and hung up his boots in 2018.

“Even though it was his record I broke, he’s one of my favourite people and is one of my best friends,” Cubby said.

“He’s like an older brother and even through playing for as long as I have, he still supports me.”

McMillan, who is still a contributing member to the Diehards family, gave Cubby his blessing with a comment on the Dalby Diehard’s Facebook page that said, “Records are meant to be broken and I’m glad it was you to take it”.

Dalby Diehards C Grade players Luke Cubby and Brendon Gesler look to wrap up the opposition.

Other footy highlights for the current winger but former fullback and forward included coaching and captaining the 2017 C-grade team to a grand final and then watching the A-grade team fulfil their premiership win.

“Making my A-grade debut was also one of the biggest things for me, that was back in 2004,” he said.

While it’s been a long road, having played almost 400 games for the club he loves Cubby said his excitement for the game was still the same as the first time he laced up the boots.

“It’s still nerve-wrecking before the game, but the excitement levels go through the roof once the balls kicked off and we’re ready to go.”

Originally published as Luke Cubby will go down in Dalby Diehards history with playing 382 games, with more to come