Milestone … East Keilor’s Matthew Stivala enters the ground for his 400th game on Saturday. 64500 Picture: SARAH MATRAY
By Luke D’Anello
SELF-effacing Matthew Stivala describes himself as a battler.
To East Keilor Football Club, he is a treasure.
Stivala celebrated his 400th game for the club on Saturday against Roxburgh Park in the Essendon District Football League (EDFL) B Grade competition.
And East Keilor marked the occasion with a thumping 178-point win.
The 34-year-old, who is co-captain of the senior side, started his career at the Cougars in 1985 and was a member of the club’s first and only A Grade premiership side in 1994.
Two years ago, he proved that age is no barrier when he claimed the club champion award. Stivala also sponsors East Keilor and is a current committee member.
“He’s the beauty of what local footy is all about as far as playing, community, sponsoring the club…nothing is ever too much trouble for him around the club and he’s probably the most respected player on the field that we’ve got, week in, week out,” East Keilor president Rohan Egglestone said.
The man himself admits Overland Reserve is his second home.
“If I’m not at home, normally someone will find me up at the club. I’ve been on the committee the last two years as well, so it’s probably taken up a bit more time. I definitely spend a fair bit of time there,” Stivala said before Saturday’s match.
Perhaps more remarkable than the milestone itself is the fact that Stivala has missed just one season in the past 25 years when work commitments in Hong Kong took him away from the sport he loves.
“I just try my best for the team and I’m happy to go out there and just have a kick and have a run.”
Stivala has been afforded the luxury of some nights off the training track in the latter stages of his career, meaning he still has a few years left in him.
And he believes his longevity has been a result of good management rather than a fortunate run of luck.
“As I’ve got older, I’ve probably got a little bit more wiser. I probably don’t drink as much as I used to when I was younger so I probably look after my body a little bit better now. At this stage the body is holding up, touch wood.
“They (coaches) are pretty happy to let me have the night off as long as I get up for Saturday.”
As for highlights, nothing, he says, rivals the premiership. East Keilor backed up from that success to make the season-decider again in 1995, but it lost against Keilor.
It has been lean pickings since, but Stivala said the prospect of another flag still drives him.
In Division 1 news, Keilor steamrolled its way to a second win of the season against Avondale Heights.
Mick McGuane’s team entered the season as one of the favourites for the premiership, but a tardy opening month would have seen McGuane tempted to hit the panic button on several occasions.
The Blues, though, rebounded against Avondale Heights to score a six-goal win, 17.10 (112) to 11.10 (76).
A seven-goal opening term set up Keilor’s win and the Blues now sit in seventh position on the ladder with a 2-3 win-loss record.
Taylors Lakes remains winless and anchored at the bottom of the ladder after an 18-point loss to Doutta Stars, 10.8 (68) to 7.8 (50). Maribyrnong Park won the grand final reply against Greenvale by 21 points to remain undefeated. The systematic Lions claimed the four points, 14.7 (91) to 11.4 (70).
In B Grade, a wasteful Keilor Park notched its fourth win of the season against Tullamarine, 10.18 (78) to 10.5 (65), to remain in second spot.
Hillside fell to a 102-point loss against Airport West, 22.16 (148) to 6.10 (46).
