Seniors forward,
Johnny Pignataro, came back from injury in style against Mitcham in Round 14. Out for five games with a hamstring, Johnny proved his fitness by booting ten goals. It was the third time he had registered double figures in a match, joining Nicholas Fritsch as the only Cougars to do so in open-age ranks.
Johnny kicked ten against Nunawading in 2000 and eleven against Templestowe three years ago. Nick booted bags of 11 (1994), 14 (2000) and 10 (2001). But, the last of those was in the Reserves. Only Johnny has completed the treble in the First Eighteen.
Now 26, Johnny started in the Under 10s aged seven, and progressed through captaincy of the Under 14s in 1995 to a flag with the Under 16s two years later. He made his senior debut in 1998, but was picked up by the Eastern Ranges the following season and played 11 games alongside Coldstream contemporaries,
Lindsay Gilbee,
Chris Murphy and
Guy Richards. He even played a top-up game for the Sydney Swans Reserves.
"I didn't get a kick, but picked up six handballs in two quarters against North Melbourne. Steve Malaxos gave us all a spray, then he looked at me and said, 'You were serviceable.'"
Johnny was back at Halley Supple Reserve full-time in 2000, and topped the club goalkicking as the seniors lost the grand final. He played half-forward flank in the premiership side the following year, and was equal top-goalkicker in the competition with 76 in 2005. He was the Cougars' leading goalkicker again last year with 52.
Johnny proved he was back with a vengeance booting six straight in a vital win over Nunawading in Round 15 to take his tally this season to 41. It was an important contribution as injured coach,
Leam Doughty (53 goals), spent limited time on the ground.
A veteran of 155 senior games, "Pig" hopes to taste premiership glory once again, and practises his sharp-shooting after training with Doughty, Murphy and Dave Trueman.
Johnny goes out with
Alicia Kerr, sister of team-mate, Ryan, who brought up 100 games earlier this season. He runs the swimming pool maintenance company, J & L Pools, with Reserves coach,
"Leroy" Devenport.
Last Modified on 13/12/2008 13:52