Einsiedel’s big moment

By JARROD POTTER
THREE clubs and 299 games later, Clint Einsiedel took the field against Bentleigh to little fanfare over a significant milestone on Saturday.
Einsiedel, 34, from Heatherton, ran out for his 300th match, having played the majority of his footy at East Brighton before pursuing a playing-coach role with Heatherton and for the last three years at Springvale Districts.
It might not have been the result Einsiedel was hoping for, with the Districts downed by nine-points in a tightly fought match, but he was happy to reach such a significant milestone, especially with all 300 of his matches played in the Southern Football League.
“Given I’ve only played a small portion of it at Springvale, I think the league were pretty keen on acknowledging it,” Einsiedel said.
“All my footy in the SFL – from my perspective and the club’s we were more keen on getting the win and getting into the five, which we weren’t able to do.
“I’ve played 80 per cent of my footy at one club and got into the coaching side of things and prepared to go anywhere and have been successful with Heatherton and Springvale.
“It’s a good competition and it’s growing and becoming more professional and it’s good to be a part of it.”
Einsiedel said his three premierships – 2002 and 2004 at East Brighton and 2009 at Heatherton, along with representing the league on a number of occasions were his career highlights.
“Without doubt the premierships – 2002, 2004 and 2009 with Heatherton.
“The team aspect of the premiership and the finals and representing the SFL on occasion – once out at Healesville against Yarra Valley, couple of times against the Ammos (VAFA).
“They’d be personal highlights as to represent your league is a pretty big deal.”
Springvale Districts sit sixth on the ladder currently with a must win match this week against Black Rock to keep their finals hopes alive.