Lauderdale co-captain Phil Bellchambers says the Bombers have the “cattle” to go all the way in the SFL Premier League

After hitting 200 games for Lauderdale, Bombers co-captain Phil Bellchambers says there’s one more box to tick off on his career. Here’s what’s missing.

Lauderdale co-captain Phil Bellchambers says the Bombers have the “cattle” to go all the way in the SFL Premier League this season. Picture: Linda Higginson

Phil Bellchambers always believed he would make it to 200 games with Lauderdale but he never imagined he would tick that box in powerhouse team with a treasure trove of talent.

In fact, Bellchambers, 29, has set his sights on 300 games for the Bombers.

He just hopes it might include a premiership that has eluded him in five previous grand final attempts — four senior and a Development League grand final.

Lauderdale’s co-captain hopes that is another box he can tick before the boots go into mothballs.

“It would mean everything,” he said.

“That’s what you play footy for, to play in grand finals and play in big games.

“We’ve definitely got the cattle, we’ve got to keep getting better each week, keep busting our arses and see what happens at the end of the year.”

Bellchambers made his senior debut against North Hobart as a forward at Lauderdale Oval in 2012.

Phil Bellchambers has hit the 200-game milestone for Lauderdale, but the one thing missing is a premiership. Picture James Bresnehan

He celebrated game 200 with a 120-point demolition of Kingborough at Lauderdale in round five and started on his way to 300 games with a 56-point win over Clarence on Saturday.

“I’ve been lucky enough to get to 200, 201 now,” he said.

“I’m planning to get to 300.

“I’m loving footy so I definitely feel like I’ve got a few more in me.”

Bellchambers has played in a lot of strong Lauderdale teams.

The Class of 2025 is up there with the best.

“Talent-wise, this is one of the best teams we’ve had in my time here,” he said.

“Every line is stacked with talent, young and old.

“It’s pretty impressive, and now we are playing to a great game-plan, so it has been good.”

Being undefeated after six rounds was not the way he expected the Bombers’ season to roll out.

“Everyone is buying in to what we are doing here,” he said.

“From day one ‘Dolly’ [coach Brent Dolliver] has come in with a clear goal and a clear game-plan.

“We’ve got a lot of talent, but we’ve all checked our egos at the door and bought into the game-plan for the greater good, and it’s working.”

Despite some impressive wins, Lauderdale still has improvement to come.

“Clarence had some players missing so they will come hard again the next time we play them – we’ve got to play them four times this year and we fully expect them to bounce back hard,” Bellchambers said.