TIGER BANKS 317 AND PLAYS ON

THERE is one word that springs to mind when Ronnie Pilgrim encapsulates the deeds of Darren Donaldson: Loyalty.

As Pilgrim prepares to hand over the reins as Bannockburn’s games-record holder to cousin Donaldson, there is not an ounce of bitterness.

In fact, the Tigers legend is thrilled to have his haul of 316 matches overtaken.

Today, Donaldson will notch his 317th appearance in yellow and black when he runs out on to Victoria Park for the reserves against Werribee Centrals.

And Pilgrim could not be more proud.

“They have asked me to say a few words about him pre-game and I’m looking forward to that,” he said of Donaldson.

“I’ll be talking about his loyalty. I think it’s a testament to him and the Bannockburn Football Club that he has been able to stay there for such a long time, like many others, and it says a fair bit about the club itself.

“I think it’s a reward for his commitment and dedication.”

Ahead of his milestone match, Donaldson said he was feeling a touch of nerves knowing the significance of the occasion.

“It does mean a lot,” he said. “I was speaking to Ronnie earlier, and I know I’m not half the footballer he ever was — he was one of the greats — but I’ve put a lot of years in.

“I’m missed a few seasons through working away and I took the family around Australia one year, but I’ve always come back to the club and I love it.

“I think the boys enjoy having me around.

“I’m the oldest, but I’m probably the most immature one there.

“I did contemplate just equalling Ronnie and pulling the pin, but then I thought I’d just keep playing because I’m still getting through the games and enjoying it.”

Donaldson’s journey to game 317 started in the early ’90s when he played in the under-15s.

In 1998, he played his first game in the reserves and cracked his first senior game later that year.

“I spent the next six or seven years in and out of the ones and twos,” Donaldson said.

“From about 2006 onwards, once I got into my late 20s, I became a twos player and loved it.

“I loved being around the boys at the club and it keeps me young ... it keeps me going.”

Donaldson said he could have pursued a career in the seniors a little longer, but the lure of a premiership in 2005 meant he gave up that dream.

“We got to the Round 12 mark and I’d played nine in the seniors and three in the reserves, and they weren’t going to make the finals in the seniors, and we were sitting top in the twos,” he said.

“And I was captain of the twos, so I sat there with Dale Smyth, who was coaching then, and said, ‘I wouldn’t mind going back and captaining them in the finals and have a good crack at it’.

“We went all the way through and won the flag, so I made the right choice.”