AS well as marking the Jamberoos Superoos' first home matches of the 2021 Group Seven Rugby League season, club stalwart John Good bring up his 300th game for the Kevin Walsh Oval-club.
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His milestone match will be on Saturday against Albion Park-Oak Flats
The former Kiama High School student first started his association with the club at a junior level up until the under 14s.
"After that we didn't have a team, so I went to Kiama for the rest of my juniors," Good said.
"I played one year of under 18s at Kiama, coached by Jason Smyth, and then we couldn't field a team there either.
"I then played my second year of under 18s at Gerringong in 1996 then played grade there in 1997.
"From 1998 onwards, I have been at the Superoos and, being a Jamberoo resident, I feel at home there."
He returned to he green and red in 1998 - a season which proved to be a successful one for his third grade side, in which they reached the grand final before losing 31-nil to Crookhaven.
Good, following that, played third grade for another eight years, before having stints in both seconds (2007-2008) and firsts (2009-2010).
He then captained/coached second grade in 2011, before featuring in the second and third grade sides from 2012-2014 and 2017-2012.
The rugged forward has spent time as both club president, committee member and club first aider - in which he admits the club has grown enormously.
"The main changes in the club from 1998 to now is the size of the playing group," he said.
"In 1998, we were a stand alone team with a really strong bond between us.
"There is still strong bonds between the players now but instead of one team there is six.
"The club has had to become more professional and run more like a business to compete in today's competition.
"I am really proud of our club and what the players and committee achieve each year.
"To field six teams from a community as small as Jamberoo is outstanding.
"We obviously have many players who don't reside in Jamberoo but come out there for training and games and enjoy the clubs family focus and positive vibes."
Coinciding with the growth of the club, founded in 1913, the Superoos have enjoyed plenty of recent success in both their men's and women's programs.
"My highlights as Jono Dallas' assistant and club first aider would have to be the success of the first grade team of resent years," the 42-year-old said.
"The win in 2017 was so special to me and everyone involved in our club.
"To break the drought of so many years for a first grade premiership was special to be a part of.
"The success of the women's league tag team, headed by Aimee Barnard, is also a highlight from a club point of view.
"We certainly celebrate each team's success at the Roo.
"As a player, defeating Sussex Inlet in the 2001 Regan Cup grand final would have to be up there.
"Our 2007 run to the reserve grade grand final was satisfying too, coming from behind to beat Shellharbour at Gerringong in the qualifying semi-final was definitely a highlight.
"We went on to lose to Warilla in 2007 - they had a really strong team that finals series with Beau Henry and Alex Volkonovski being among a talented outfit.
"Also making my first grade debut for Jamberoo at the tender age of 30 is something that is special to me.
"I played at a club that only had Regan Cup for many years and to have the opportunity to play against the best players in the group was fun.
"We have been competitive in every grade since I came to the club in 1998."
All these memories and 299 appearances for the Roos has led Good to Saturday's fixture, where he will run out for the club's reserve grade side against Albion Park-Oak Flats for his 300th game.
"It means a lot to me to join Al Ward, Jeff Chaplin and Scott Adams as the fourth player to bring up 300 games for Jamberoo," he said.
"I played many games with all three of those players and I'm excited to join them in the 300 club for Jamberoo.
"I have been told it's time to retire for many years but I still enjoy running out there with my mates and playing footy each weekend in winter - each weekend I'm not injured that is.
"I really didn't think I would play 300 games for Jamberoo after the motorcycle accident that I had in 2014.
"Motorbike verses a tractor never ends well for the bike rider.
"It sidelined me for a couple of years and the injuries sustained in the accident still give me grief each day, mainly the three fractured vertebrae in my back.
"I still believe it is good for me physically and mentally to play footy and be around my mates at the club, which is why I decided to return to playing.
"I might have to find a new hobby soon though, I'm 43 in August."
This milestone has given Good a chance to reflect on the impact the club has made on his life and what makes it so special.
"Kevin Walsh Oval is a big part of it - it's a beautiful ground and a place that I obviously love playing," he said.
"We always find somewhere to enjoy a drink after the game and training with Club Jamberoo and the pub being so close by.
"The other thing that makes Jamberoo special to me is the people that are at the club.
"I have made so many mates over the years and good blokes keep coming to share what we have at the Roo.
"Honestly, there are so many positive influences at the club - far too many to mention individuals as I'd leave someone important out.
"The club is about community, about mateship, about respecting each other and the opposition.
"These things are very important to me."
On the day, which will also see Lauren Goodman-Koch bring up her 100th game for the club, the Roos have a couple of plans in place for the milestone, including a 300-game banner - although Good would prefer it to be a low-key event
"I hope there's not too much fuss from the club," he said.
"My wife has been spending plenty of time organising bits and pieces to make it a special day - I might have a beer or two on Saturday night, hopefully celebrating a couple of Jamberoo wins."
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