It’s not often a bloke who “couldn’t get a kick in a street fight” goes on to play 300 games, but Centrals legend Matthew “Stinger” Wray will buck that trend when he takes to the field in his milestone match against Mandurah this weekend.
Aptly celebrating in front of a home crowd, Wray will become the club’s first 300-game player, just weeks after becoming their all-time games played record holder.
But cementing his spot in the league side wasn’t something that happened overnight.
I’d like to say 2001 was when I got fit but if I’m being honest I never really got fit.
- Wray laughs about breaking into Centrals' league side
With a hint of laughter, the ruckman himself described his colts days as “fairly average”, saying he was often sneakily tucked away in the back pocket by his coach.
Thankfully a breakout season in 2001 saw him lock down his spot, and 17 years later, he’s yet to relinquish it.
“[Current president] Bert Easthope got me down to fill in for a game when I was about 16, and I’ve just stuck with the club since then,” Wray said.
“I took some time to get going and to find my way as a footballer. I’d like to say 2001 was when I got fit but if I’m being honest I never really got fit.
“I had the aim to get into the league side and that’s how it went, so from then on it was just a matter of finding a way to stay in the team.”
Since then Wray has barely missed a game, notching his fair share of accolades along the way.
He was the club’s league best and fairest in 2003, and finished as their runner-up on back-to-back occasions in 2009 and 2010.
But there’s no memory the 34-year-old will cherish more than the 2007 grand final, which saw his Centrals overcome South Mandurah 13.7 (85) to 8.8 (56), gifting the club its fourth and most recent flag.
“Far and above the best memory I’ve got in footy,” he said.
“When I look back on my time playing for the club there’s no doubt in my mind that day will always come to mind.”
Funnily enough, that day also produced one of Wray’s toughest individual tests as a ruckman going head-to-head with Souths’ Rowan Arnott, who went on to win a pair of Ross Elliott medals.
“I think out of all the blokes I’ve gone up against he (Arnott) probably stands out the most to me,” Wray said.
“We had some really good battles across his four or five years in the league.”
The milestone man’s 300th game will be a special day for the Mundijong club, with past players, premiership heroes and coaches set to attend the match.
Easthope said it was an import celebration for the club.
“It’s a huge thing for Matt – I know personally I’m just really proud of him, and so is our entire club,” he said.
“He’s been such a loyal servant of the club, he’s seen it through our highs and our lows, so to make sure we honour him in a big way is important.”
Wray will run through the banner in his 300th game at Mundijong Oval this Sunday, 2.30pm.