Border Mail |
IT’S fair to say Steve Jamison enjoyed his 200th game for Kiewa-Sandy Creek far more than he did his 100th.
Sure, a 75-point win over Tallangatta in round 9 is nothing to write home about, but when game 100 was a one-point loss in a grand final, last Saturday’s result looks like gold in comparison.
“It was a lot more enjoyable,” Jamison said.
“It was a bit of a boggy day but we had a win, which was good.
“It was definitely better than my 100th.
“That was a one-point loss to Mitta in the 2007 grand final.”
Jamison, 30, has been something of a regular in the Hawks’ line-up since making his senior debut aged 17 in 2000.
But even that season wasn’t without its own drama.
“I was in the thirds that year, as well, and it was the year we went undefeated,” he said.
“I could only play eight games in the seniors before I was ineligible for thirds so I played my eight games and went back because the seniors weren’t much good.
“We won the granny in the thirds.”
Senior success, though, continued to elude him.
If the heartache of 2007 wasn’t enough, Jamison was then left out of the Hawk’s 2008 premiership winning team after failing to regain his place in the team following a move to Melbourne and knee problems.
But he stuck thick and was ultimately rewarded with premiership glory in 2011 when the Hawks stunned Thurgoona by 24 points in the grand final after claiming the last spot in the five.
“I never thought about going anywhere else,” Jamison said.
“My old man played here and I’ve been a part of the club for so long.
“It would be hard to leave.”
Kiewa-Sandy Creek coach Ryan Richardson, who took over in 2010, threw Jamison into defence and it’s there that he became a mainstay.
Richardson can’t speak highly enough of the hard-at-it backman.
“He is one of the most fearless players I’ve seen,” Richardson said.
“It’s extraordinary.
“His will to get the ball, with absolutely no care for himself, is unbelievable.”
But other than a few knocks to the head, Jamison has remained relatively injury free.
“I got 11 stitches in my head once but other than it’s just been a lot of knocks and sore necks,” Jamison said.
“I’ve been pigeon-holed down back the last few years.
“But I try and sneak up the field when Richo’ isn’t looking.”
With 200 games in the bank, 250 is the next milestone on the horizon for Jamison.
He hasn’t ruled it out, either.
“We’ll see how we go,” Jamison said.
“I’d like to.”
He just hopes it’s better than his 100th.
