It will be an extra special day for North Sunshine Football Club stalwart John Portelli when he runs out to play his 200th game against Albanvale this weekend.
Pulling on a Roadrunners jumper in the Under 10s at the age of nine, reaching his milestone game has been a long time in the making.
With a number of family and friends cheering him on from the sidelines for his milestone, the day will be one to remember for John as he also celebrates his 22nd birthday.
“I’m very excited to play my milestone this weekend, probably more so than any other because it falls on my birthday so it should be a great day,” he said.
Before he was even old enough to walk, John has been a Roadrunner since the age of three, with his father Ray involved in the club for many years, and now the current president.
While playing his junior football with current GWS player Will Hoskin- Elliot and captaining the under 14A and under 16B junior sides in finals were among John’s career highlights, his fondest memory came in 2012 when he was the runners up in the club Best and Fairest while also captaining the side in the same year, at just 19 years of age.
“The past few years have been hard at times but the club and people in it mean a lot to me, and I appreciate the faith my former coach Rick Charles had in me at the time I came runners up in the club best and fairest.”
Playing for the first time this weekend in the new Division Three tier, John has high hopes for his club in the near future, with the opportunity to play finals spurring his club on.
“I’m hoping with our head coach Joe Larizza and fellow coaching staff as well as with the players that we have now and new ones which will come in next year that we have a real opportunity to play finals in 2015.”
However, John said without the support of the club, coaches, teammates and family, his love of football and milestone match would simply not have been possible.
“To all my junior coaches and team managers, you have all played a part in my development not only as a player but as a person which I thank you very much for your support over the years.
“I’d also like to thank my dad for loving the game I love and the club, my mum for washing my gear and her support and my sister, thanks to club members and supporters.”
Last Modified on 17/07/2014 11:42