Doveton Eagles games record holder Mick ‘Jimmy’ Labinski played his 350th against Dandy Demons on Saturday.
AFTER 22 years with his beloved Doveton Eagles, club stalwart Mick Labinski racked up his 350th game on Saturday in a stirring comeback victory against familiar foe Dandy Demons.
‘Jimmy’, as he’s known at the club, has played 142 senior games for the Eagles – including the club’s only senior premiership in 1995 – and 208 in the reserves.
He also coached the twos for three seasons between 2001 and 2003.
Labinski reluctantly accepted the spotlight at Power Reserve on Saturday, inspiring the Reserves to an 11-point win in his milestone game.
“I hate the attention,” he said.
“I don’t like to focus on the personal stuff, so it was really pleasing that we could get up in the end.”
While Labinski declined a pre-match address, former team-mate Barry Giddens let the words “reliable, consistent, dedicated and loyal” echo through the rooms before the game.
“I told them that every time they found it hard out there they should look across to Jimmy, because he always battles through the pain,” Giddens said.
Having learnt to play with the pain of a chronic knee injury throughout his career, Labinski is optimistic of his chances of playing on next year.
“As much as I love the game, playing with your mates is what it’s all about,” he said.
