?ONE of North Launceston's best players and most loyal servants brings up his 200th senior game for the club against Burnie tomorrow.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Former captain Allan O'Sign, 29, reaches the milestone after making his senior debut for the Bombers as a 15-year-old in 2001 under coach Gary McIntosh.
``The milestone is a big achievement especially at a club that I've admired since I was a little fellow,'' O'Sign said.
``I've had the privilege of playing with some great mates and played under some great coaches such as McIntosh, Rod Keogh, Mathew Armstrong and Darryn Cresswell in the Devils and I learnt a lot off those guys.
``The support the club has given me through the tough times and the good times _ it is going to be a memorable moment and bringing it Leg 1?up against a team like Burnie that I have the utmost respect for will be a good match-up.''
As one of the most experienced players in a young group, O'Sign said he enjoyed the energy the younger players were bringing to the team and being able to help their development with his advice and experience.
``I like to let my actions do the talking as far as my leadership is concerned,'' he said.
A six-time runner-up in club best and fairest awards, O'Sign said the Bombers were developing the right culture for success and he hoped to continue around the club for a couple of more years if the body holds up.
?``It has been a big time and when I first started at North I was lucky enough to play in two losing NTFL grand finals in 2001 and 2003, but it's been 10 years since _ so it would be nice to get back playing finals and ultimately a grand final.''
North Launceston coach Zane Littlejohn was full of praise for O'Sign's achievement.
``Allan is only the 14th player in the club's history to do that at our footy club and it is a privilege to have played with him,'' Littlejohn said.
``He's played Tassie Mariners and VFL footy with the Devils and would probably have had about 300 games by now if it wasn't for interruptions by representative footy and injuries.
``We will speak a bit about it at training and as the week goes on we want to make the boys appreciate that it takes a lot of hard work to play 200 games at a club in this day and age.''
?