Milestone for veteran Eagle

By Gavin Staindl
“WHATEVER you do, you do 100 per cent because there is no point going in half-heartedly.”
This is the personal motto of the 42-year-old Doveton Eagles veteran Mick Labinksi who for 400 games has done exactly that.
The Doveton veteran last week capped off his 400th game in style by helping his Eagles to a 10-point win over old foes Dandenong in the Division Three reserves.
Labinski admitted to the unusual experience of some butterflies before the opening bounce.
“I even felt nervous before the match so I was just relieved to get the win and get the match out of the way,” Labinski said.
“Crash”, as he is known as around the club, began his career in 1985 and has played 256 reserves games and 144 senior games – including Doveton’s only premiership in 1995.
When Labinski reached 350 club games in 2007 he was reluctant to accept the praise but three years on Labinski is ready to admit that 400 games is a big deal.
“It has only been 50 more games but it sounds good doesn’t it,” Labinski said.
The one-team clubman was at the cross-roads at the end of last season when on 398 games he was set to give it all away.
“We had enjoyed a good run of making grand finals but last year we bowed out straight away so we lost a bit of momentum … I have shoddy knees and other niggling problems that have affected me for the last few years.”
“I was tempted to hang up the boots,” Labinski said.
For the sake of the milestone it was fortunate that Labinksi became Doveton’s chairman of selectors.
“I thought if I’m going to be down there every week I may as well play,” Labinski said.
The only question that remains now for Labinski is how far can he go?
“I’m planning on seeing the year out then calling it quits but the blokes around the club say I’ve been retiring for the last five years so we’ll see how it goes,” Labinski said.