Country footy: Tatyoon’s Tim Barr on game 500 and his achievements

Tatyoon’s Tim Barr will celebrate his 500th game for the club this weekend. He talks through the highs, lows, the nude calendars and the one last goal he will tick off on Saturday.

Tatyoon's Tim Barr tries to spoil Rory Nicholls back in 2005.

Footballers in the ilk of Tatyoon’s Tim Barr are few and far between.

This weekend, the local farmer will celebrate his 500th for the Mininera and District club when he runs out in the reserves game against Woorndoo Mortlake.

He played just one junior season away from his beloved Hawks in 1999 otherwise there was almost next to no chance of pulling him away from the brown and gold.

Living just 10km away from the ground, Tatyoon Football Netball Club has always been the “hub of the community”.

“It’s one big family,” Barr said.

“I’ve been pretty lucky in my time with the club and playing 500 games is something I’ve wanted to do. There have been good and bad times throughout the years but the club is always a place you’ve always been able to come together with your mates.”

If you looked at Barr’s footballing resume, it would be fair to be a little jealous when you look at the success of his career which has spanned three decades.

He’s won eight premierships, although he’s lost six grand finals, and won several best-and-fairests.

His family name lives strongly at the club with his uncle Des named at centre-half forward in the Tatyoon team of the century in 2024. Barr’s grandfather played for the Hawks as well.

And yet another chapter will be written this weekend at Tatyoon Recreation Reserve as Barr runs out with his son, Hamish, for the first time.

“I’m pretty chuffed, it will be his first game in the senior grades,” Barr said.

“It’s something all dads want to do, play a game with their son. He’s playing under-17s at another club this season but he’s coming across for the weekend.

“I think it will be one of the biggest highlights in all of my time playing footy.”

Tatyoon's Tim Barr will play his 500th game this weekend. This is him in action in 2005.

Barr has enjoyed plenty of highlights on and off the field during his career. He suggests members of the McDougall family are among the best he’s seen play footy.

Richmond premiership defender David Astbury was another Barr saw come through the Hawks’ juniors.

“We’ve had a lot of good players and good people,” he said.

“David is always a good bloke to get back to the footy club.”

Given he lives in the community, Barr is well aware of how important fundraising can be and that has included appearances in the club’s nude calendar.

The first came in 2003 and the second in 2016.

“Those were always a bit of fun and always helped raise some good money for the club,” he said.

Barr also takes time to complete some court maintenance for the netballers with his daughter playing in the under-13s.

“I’m there in the mornings standing around, so I may as well do something,” he said.

Originally published as Country footy: Tatyoon’s Tim Barr on game 500 and his achievements