Long-standing Mandurah Mustangs servant Daniel Adair will mark a milestone close to his heart when he runs out for his 200th game with the club this weekend.
The 30-year-old will hit the double-ton in an important clash against Centrals on Sunday, with the winner of the match to break a game clear on the ladder and inch closer to hosting a home final.
Adair joined the club fresh off his junior days with North Mandurah in 2006, captaining the colts side to a finals run his first few years.
He became a premiership reserves captain in 2010, the same year he made his league debut for the Mustangs.
"It was actually a tough league side to crack into at the time," Adair said.
"We had some really good players going around in those days with guys like Shane Creevey and Greg Sanders, so I remember just being stoked to be picked in the ones."
He became a regular fixture of the seniors side in 2011, going on to play every game in the season.
But the highlights slowed down when Adair and the club endured a lengthy stint bereft of much team success between 2012 and 2018.
A handful of years dwelling at the depths of the ladder tested the loyalty of many players, but a tight-knit group of mates and the club's proud history were enough for Adair to stick out the tough times.
"A lot of us were putting in the hard yards and just getting no results, but even then I never felt like playing anywhere else," he said.
"The friends I've made at the club are like my family now, and when I saw the history of the Mustangs and all the past success they've had, it made me want to be part of the next successful side."
Now the co-captain of the league side, while juggling a role as the colts assistant coach, Adair is reaping the rewards for his loyalty as Mandurah is primed to make a return to finals this season.
A win this week would mathematically cement their spot in the post-season, a prospect the veteran Mustang said the club is relishing.
"It's important for everyone, and just seeing some good results on the board has been a huge boost for the club's atmosphere," he said.
"But I think it's probably a little more special for us older guys, who have been through the bottom finishes and been through the tough times.
"For us, it's just a relief to know we're going to play some finals footy again."
The Mustangs take on Centrals on at Mundijong Oval on Sunday, 2.30pm.
Justin Rake
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
