By Lachlan Onions
THERE were plenty of celebrations at the North Gambier Football Club on Saturday when Matthew Chapman played his 400th senior game for the club.
Chapman became just the second player in the club’s history to reach such an achievement.
He was proud to have reached the milestone.
“I knew if I played 14 games, I would reach the milestone of the 400, so that pushed me through this year,” Chapman said.
He said throughout his career, the highlights were the premierships he won, which included three A Grade titles and three in Reserves.
Chapman was also named in the league’s Team of the Year in 2012.
“I have played senior footy since I was 17 or 18 and all up, I have missed maybe four or five seasons,” he said.
“When I did think I was going to retire in 2014, I got talked back into it again by the Reserves guys to help out.
“So I played a handful of games in 2015 and 2016, then I didn’t play at all in 2017 or 2018.
“Then in 2019, I got roped back into helping out.”
Chapman has played at the club his entire career, dating back to his junior days.
He said the mateship at the club is what has kept him at the Tigers for so long.
“I have a lot of mates and friends I have met there along the way and the same group of guys I went through school with, we have all stuck together,” Chapman said.
The day was extra special as North held a 10-year reunion for the 2012 premiership, which Chapman was a part of.
