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Magic milestone for determined defender

A SIGNED coaster at the Gordon Hotel back in the late 90s has led to a two-and-a-half-decade commitment to the Westerns Football Netball Club, with Tammy Jones celebrating her 300th game milestone on the netball courts on Saturday.

Jones has been a staple of Westerns’ success throughout their netball grades since coming to the club in the late 1990s, with Saturday’s celebration taking place during the B grade clash against Tyrendarra.

Brought to the club by friend Narelle Ross after arriving in town two years prior, Jones has had a 25-year stint with the Roos, which has included multiple personal accolades and at least five premierships wins.

“I don’t actually know what year it was when I started,” she said.

“When I first moved to Portland I played one or two seasons at Heathmere, but then at the pub one night with Wallsy (Narelle Ross) I signed a coaster and haven’t looked back.

“It was late 90s I’m pretty sure and it all just blends in.”

Playing across multiple grades, Jones started her journey in A grade and has since moved through A, A reserve and B grade in the South West District Netball League.

Throughout that time, she has won premierships across all grades, with a particular highlight being the A grade premiership against Cavendish.

“The A grade premiership was pretty good, I remember that one – there was Maybs (Jodie Maybery), Sarah Grey, Nels (Lee-Anne Nelson), Bree Phillips and Mirtsch as well (Sheree Mirtschin),” she said.

“It was against Cavendish and we were the underdogs, it was a typical Cavendish season – they’d won against us every time and even during finals and then we managed to win in the grand final.”

While defending has always been her niche, Jones briefly donned the goal attack bib on Saturday, scoring her one and only goal for the club.

“Technically I now hold the best shooting percentage at the club – one for one so that’s one hundred percent,” she laughed.

But defending has always been her game.

“As I’ve gotten older I don’t mind wing defence but I like goal defence - that’s always been my position,” Jones said.

Ross also concurred that defending has been her primary position which has been aided by her ruthless determination.

“It’s her left arm that gets people, she comes around and you just don’t expect it,” Ross said.

“But it’s her determination and never give up attitude that’s the biggest thing, no matter what’s happening, whether they’re down or up she’ll never give up – her determination to figure it out and go for it is what makes her special. And it’s not just on the netball side of it it’s the club side too.”

Playing success has been a huge part of her time at the club; but it’s the people that have kept her coming back for so long.

“Friendships I’ve made at the club is what has kept me around – you’re made to feel welcome and everyone’s family,” she said.

“(When it comes to helping out off court) I just do it – I love what I do and love the club so I just do it. We’ve got a very supportive committee so that really helps.”

O’Brien notches up 200

Westerns was full of milestone celebrations on Saturday as Stephen O’Brien celebrated his 200th game with the club.

Running out with his three children at Heathmere, the club acknowledged what has been a long commitment to the blue and white.

O’Brien joined the club at around 18-years-old and bar a three-season stint elsewhere he has been a focal point of the Roos senior football side.

Winning two league best and fairest awards and as the current club captain he has seen plenty of the club’s highlights and toughed it out through some of their lesser successful seasons on-field.

While it has been a tough season for Westerns on the field, O’Brien has been a dominant contributor, earning best player accolades in six of his 10 games played.

Wombwell hits 150

In the reserves clash against Tyrendarra on Saturday Jamie Wombwell hit his 150th game for the Westerns Football Netball Club.

Returning to the field in recent years Wombwell has been a regular contributor when the club has needed and managed to boot a goal and earn best on ground in his milestone match on Saturday.

There are a few highlights spanning his career but one at the top of the list is taking to the field with his son in the blue and white.

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