YET another chapter will be written in Ultima’s extraordinary 2023 season on Saturday, when Kyle Symons plays his 200th senior game for the Roos.
Having made his senior debut as a 14-year-old, Symons has spent the best part of 16 years plying his trade for his home club.
It’s a journey that has taken him all the way to the top and an appointment as senior coach at the start of last season.
It will be a cherished moment when he crosses the white line in game 200 for not just Symons, but also his family, who have witnessed every step of his footballing journey.
“I’ve tried not to think about it too much, but I’m pretty proud, especially being at my home club and having come up through the juniors,” Symons said.
“I went away for a few years but was always going to come home, which was easier when all my family is out here.
“It will make (the game) even more special, being my home club and having all my family there.”
Symons’ debut came in round 10, 2007, against long-time rivals Murrabit – a moment that he remembers with mixed emotions.
“It was pretty crazy really, I got a phone call on Friday night from ‘Nook’ (Nathan Condely) saying someone was injured and had pulled out late,” Symons said.
“He rang and asked Mum and Dad if I could play, which they agreed to – so I got the call-up and stayed in the side for the rest of the year.
“I remember we got absolutely smacked.
“It was a bit of an eye-opener, there were some bigger boys out there, but I enjoyed it.
“A few of the older guys took me under their wing and looked after me, which was the best thing about it.
“Now that I’m the coach, it’s my responsibility to do the same – life always goes full circle.
The final score that day was indeed a belting for the Roos, with Murrabit comfortably winning 22.25 (163) to 3.9 (27).
But Symons certainly made an impact, with The Guardian’s post-match wrap-up stating “his debut performance shows that Symons will be a permanent fixture in Ultima’s future success”.
Ultima’s premierships in 2014 and 2015 are among Symons most cherished memories.
“The two premierships stick out, they were pretty good days,” Symons said.
“But I also think about all the mates you make along the way, they have probably been the best moments, making lifelong friends.
“Luke O’Toole is someone I used to watch a lot of and wanted to be like, and Matt O’Toole and Luke Wilson were also guys I looked up to.
“I’ve been lucky enough to play with all three of them as well across the journey, which was pretty special.”
While it will be a big day for Symons, his focus will be squarely on making sure his team return to the winners’ list against Wandella, with the Roos sitting on top of the Golden Rivers ladder and red-hot favourites to end their nine-year premiership drought.
“We want to try and lock that top-two spot in, that’s our big focus,” Symons said.
“Last week was a bit of a hiccup, but the boys played pretty well – our pressure was good, but we’ve still got a few things to work on.”
