IT’S hard to imagine a more popular or important individual to the fabric of the Kerang Football Netball Club than Troy Coates.
The Blues have been the benchmark of the Central Murray Football Netball League for the best part of the last decade, and while Kerang’s dominance has been a constant feature of the competition, so to has the dedication of their long-time leader.
While there have been numerous occasions to celebrate for Kerang in recent years, none of them will hold the gravity of this Saturday, when Coates faces Tyntynder in his 200th senior game for his beloved Blues.
With eight Kerang premierships to his name, five of which came as coach, Coates is already regarded as club royalty.
That will become official when the Blues leader steps out against the Bulldogs and joins brother Matt as one of just three players (the other being Troy Thamm) to play 200 senior games in the navy blue.
Joining his brother in the select club is achievement that means a lot to Coates, who spoke to the Gannawarra Times in the lead-up to the big day.
“It’s honestly the proudest thing for me to have been able to play for such a long period of time at my home club and play senior footy alongside both of my brothers,” Coates said.
“It’s not just about playing with them, but also playing alongside all my school friends and forming close relationships with them and then giving back to the club that gave me my start in football.
“When you’re younger, (the club) put faith and trust in you and give you opportunities to play.
“Then, having lived in Bendigo for 10 of those years and travelling that highway, to give back to my club and the town is something I’ll hold pretty close to my heart when it all comes to an end, which is coming pretty quickly to be honest.”
While success and mateship are clear motivators for Coates, so too is his family.
And while unable to convince brother Zac to return from Irymple to play with the Blues this season, the pair having played together in Zac’s first years of senior footy, his family – along with the bonds he has formed with his teammates – will be front of mind when he runs onto the Alan Garden Reserve on Saturday.
“To have two brothers do it (play 200 senior games) out of the three will be a pretty proud moment for our family,” Coates said.
“Being able to see my family every week, and recently have my kids travel with us and see my family, means a lot to me and is a big reason in why I keep driving up the highway.
“There’s a core group of guys that I’ve played a lot of footy alongside, right through from when I started playing seniors, and we’re all really close – even now we all go away on trips together every year.
“Family, success and mateship are all key motivators for me and they surround all the important moments along my footballing journey, and all the moments that I know I’ll look back on fondly when it all ends.”
While the hierarchy at Kerang would love him to play forever, Coates admits the end may be getting near, although at the age of 36, it’s hoped he still has a few more years in those tireless legs of his yet.
“The end’s coming pretty quickly, I’ll be honest,” Coates said.
“A big factor in that is the six years I played in Darwin too and while I’ve been lucky with injuries, I played footy all year round for about six years.
“I don’t want to hold a kid out of a spot in the team – the moment I feel like there’s someone better to fill my spot, I’ll be stepping aside.
“Plus, I think I’ll be a much better as a non-playing coach, where I can just focus on coaching, rather than being a playing coach like I am currently.”
