‘‘I played the rest of the year there.’’

The report of that first game in the following Wednesday’s Telegraph, records a disappointing 59-point defeat at Moon Oval.

But there’s this pointer to the future: ‘‘Shane Schottner was one Lion who could hold his head high. The 17-year-old came on to the ground early and finished with 10 possessions from full back.’’

Schottner had played half a game in the under-18s as well, something he was to repeat for the rest of the year as he turned out for the seniors.

But his journey to that point wasn’t typical. The local boy wanted to start out, like most kids, as soon as he could — in those days under-11s — ‘‘but Mum wouldn’t let me play’’.

‘‘I finally convinced her in under-13s (Seymour) and I was just playing with my friends and enjoying it. I wasn’t very good but I loved the camaraderie and friendship. It was the under-18s when I got a big love for it.

‘‘The first few years I was just making up the numbers, I was always a small back pocket. It wasn’t until I was 15 or 16 that I had a big growth spurt. I played a bit of basketball when I was young and had a reasonable leap. It seems to have worked out pretty well.’’

The last statement might be a masterpiece of understatement now, but Schottner had to bide his time in the seniors. He had come off a great 1994, finishing runner-up in the club under-18 best-and-fairest (to Roo Saunders) and third in the league award. The Lions had also made the grand final.

But his path to the ruck spot was blocked by probably his biggest football influence — Solomon.

The former Brisbane Bear and Lions premiership player was ruckman until about 1997, when Schottner finally grabbed the spot.

‘‘Jono was a huge influence,’’ Schottner said.

‘‘I loved playing with him and watching him when I was playing thirds. I still think he was one of the best players I’ve seen at the club.’’

There were others too at the time. The ‘‘hard as nails’’ Glenn Cole and Matt O’Sullivan among others.

‘‘They were all good players in the 91 flag and they were passing that on to us,’’ Schottner said.

Cole wasn’t soft on Schottner either. While coaching in 1998, he dropped his ruckman to reserves for a game, the only time Schottner has turned out for the twos.

The following year he well and truly bounced back, winning the first of his three club best-and-fairests despite playing just 14 games. For those who need to be reminded, they were pretty dark days for the Lions. And Schottner was no exception.

A career of highlights — but not this one

‘‘To be honest, none of my milestone games have been very memorable,’’ he said.

‘‘The 250th was the only one we won, we smashed Tatura in that. I couldn’t tell you about my 100th or 200th because we were losing so many.’’

Even what would seem to most to be an obvious highlight — the 2004 Morrison Medal — drew little enthusiasm from the big man.

‘‘That was the first year Steve Daniel came up and he brought a ruckman with him. We were supposed to share the load but he did a knee in the first game. I had finished third in the Morrison when we were struggling and I don’t think (2004) was particularly exceptional, but you’re right in the umpire’s eye and I was captain too so they knew me.

‘‘It’s a nice honour but I don’t hold it as highly as the club best-and-fairests or premierships.’’

But 2004 is perhaps as memorable a year as any in Lions’ history. Despite being knocked out in straight sets in the finals, the groundwork had been laid for the hat-trick of premierships.

And no one knew what it meant more than Schottner.

How sweet it is — glory at last

‘‘I reluctantly coached the side the year before and we struggled with numbers,’’ he said.

‘‘I was way too young and I thought about playing in the Ovens and Murray for a year or two, just because I thought it was good footy and 2002 and 2003 weren’t really great (Schottner, among other things, was also leading goal kicker in 2003). But then we got Steve in.

‘‘He brought those seven or eight VFL recruits and the whole atmosphere changed, everyone was working harder and that really drove the next three years.’’

And here’s the real career highlight.

‘‘By a country mile it’s the 2005 flag,’’ Schottner said.

‘‘I can’t explain what it meant. I’m wearing a symbol of it on my back and I hate tattoos. But after so many years of struggling, especially when we were underdogs ...

‘‘When the siren went I had the ball in my hands. It was like someone was looking down on us and saying ‘it’s your turn’.’’

Schottner would go on to lift the trophy the following two years as well, part of a remarkable 10-year stint as captain.

Some of the best

Apart from the likes of Solomon, Cole and O’Sullivan, who else does Schottner rate highest, both at the Lions and in the GVFL?

He has to think about the top three, but finally settles on ‘‘the two Ss’’.

‘‘Chewy (Paul Scanlon) and (Saad Saad) are as good as I’ve played with,’’ he said.

‘‘Chewy was the hardest, most, prolific ball winner I’ve seen and Saad, well what can you say?’’

‘‘Joffa (Jeff Anderson) in his prime was brilliant at full back and then became the best centre half-forward in the comp. But there’s been heaps of good players. Paul Colbert when he’s finished he’ll be one of the best you’ll see.’’

The two opponents he respects most have been Jarrod Sutherland of Shepparton Swans — ‘‘he used to test me big time when I was a kid, he was a tough opponent and didn’t take a backward step’’ — and Tatura’s Paul Kirby, who was superb against Seymour in last year’s grand final.

‘‘He’s been there for a long time and keeps producing year after year. Some of the shorter-term players I struggled with were Mark Blake last year (the Geelong AFL premiership ruckman who now plays for Mooroopna) and Mark Porter (former Carlton ruckman who played for Benalla).’’

And speaking about ruckmen, Schottner’s heir apparent Brandyn Grenfell is set to play an even bigger role this season. The master has always had a high opinion of his apprentice.

‘‘He’s six foot six, got a great leap, great hands and he moves around well,’’ Schottner said.

‘‘Hopefully we can keep him here for a few years.’’

And what about 300?

The Mansfield game will be Schottner’s first since the 2012 grand final.

‘‘About two or three years ago I thought there was no chance,’’ he said.

‘‘My body was ruined in ’09, I was unlikely to play 2010, but as it has came closer and I’ve sat down and thought about (the milestone).

‘‘It’s been 17 years of travelling up and down the highway and it would certainly mean a lot, but if I finished on 299 it wouldn’t have made me any worse. I weighed up where I was at last year and I thought I had a good year and I still love it.

‘‘If I’m not enjoying it and/or my body’s no good, then I’ll give it away. I’m waiting to see what comes first.’’

■Schottner will not be the only Seymour player celebrating a milestone against Mansfield. Gerard Liddell, a member of the 2005 and 2006 premiership sides, is due to play his 100th game for the Lions.

■THE SCHOTTNER FILES

Senior club games: 299

Reserves games: one

Under-18 games: 39

GVFL games: eight

Premierships: 2005, 2006, 2007

Runner-up: 2008, 2012

Club captain: 2001 to 2011

Senior coach: 2003

Mark Cox Medal: 1999, 2000, 2004

Morrison Medal: 2004

Leading goal kicker: 2003

Seymour games record

314: Michael O’Donnell

299: Shane Schottner

280: Alistair Greenshields

265: Kevin Miles (150 consecutive)