By Katie Lambeski
DANNI Teasdale doesn’t much like to talk about herself.
Modest and easy-going in nature, the reliable St Albans Spur defender-forward marked a milestone on the weekend.
In a career spanning 11 years, she celebrated her 150th game with her St Albans teammates, who marked her milestone with a dominant 94-point win over East Burwood.
Teasdale is one of the lucky few who has tasted the ultimate success as a player, being part of a premiership team in 2000 – her first season.
She is also a state representative playing in the national championships in Adelaide this year.
But she has also experienced her fair share of lows, such as losing a semi-final in 2009 to old rivals Melbourne University.
She described that game as one “we lost for ourselves”. The loss was made even more painful by the uncertain future around her friend Shannon McFerran, who underwent an operation to remove a brain tumor that year.
The reliable and professional Teasdale is reluctant to discuss personal achievements. “You don’t set out to play milestones, it’s not something I think about … it’s nice to get there but it’s never been a goal of mine,” she said.
It is rather the love of playing and the hard work needed to be a senior player that motivates her. Teasdale is regarded by many of her teammates as one of the hardest-working and most professional players.
“Hard work is what completes you as a player and if everyone is on board with those things that is what makes a successful side and wins you games,” she said.
She believes the club can achieve the ultimate success this year but stresses the importance of “continuing to build as a unit”. That is typical of Teasdale, a selfless team player.
Meanwhile, the Spurs seniors also celebrated footy legend Debbie Lee 250th game with an 87-point win over East Burwood at Kings Park Reserve on Sunday.
In a windy and often ugly game, the power and class of St Albans overcame a physical East Burwood outfit, with the final score 14.17 (101) to 2.2 (14).
In the first half, the Devils’ physicality and defensive game-style had St Albans under pressure. In a wasteful half from St Albans, the Devils restricted the Spurs to 2.12.
Emily Stanyer was one of the better performers in the first half for the Spurs.
The Spurs’ run and work-rate lifted in a dominant second half, with forward Amanda Walsh showing class and creativity in the 50. St Albans finished strongly with a six-goal last quarter.
The Spurs Reserves comfortably accounted for the East Burwood reserves with a 52-point win, 11.6 (72) to 2.8 (20).
The win also celebrated 100 games for star Spurs defender Alana Bell. In what was expected to be a tough game between the second and third-placed sides, a dominant eight-goal second half secured an important win for St Albans.
