As humble as ever, Launceston's Jay Blackberry was looking to cast the spotlight elsewhere ahead of his State League record-breaking 213th game against Glenorchy at KGV.
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Sharing the day with teammate Jake Smith's 150th, Blackberry was hoping to celebrate that milestone more than his own, also downplaying comparisons between himself and the man who he is overtaking, Glenorchy's Jaye Bowden.
A video of Bowden congratulating Blackberry was posted on Launceston's social media on Wednesday night, something the latter certainly appreciated.
"It's nice that he was able to take some time to do that for me," Blackberry said.
"It probably doesn't sit too well with me that I'm overtaking him, he's obviously achieved a lot more than I have in football but it's nice to be up there with him in a particular area.
"You look at was he's achieved, I think everyone strives to be very similar to him [and] to play with him as well throughout some state games has been awesome - you do learn a lot from those type of guys throughout your career."
ELSEWHERE IN SPORT
Debuting for South Launceston in 2009, Blackberry named with two State League premierships in 2013 and 2020 as his career highlights alongside state representation in under-18s and senior football.
The 29-year-old mechanic is one of only a handful of names still playing from the rebooted State League's first season including teammates Jobi Harper and Joe Groenewegen, who fittingly both return this weekend.
"It's probably a credit to them that they're still running around because it's a really good product, or I believe it is anyway," Blackberry said.
"From where it's come from to where it is today, it's chalk and cheese.
"It's so much more professional and it's more about learning and developing rather than just going out there and playing footy, which is pretty much what we did to start off with.
"I really like going to watch my mates play at lower levels but there is a massive difference and I don't think anyone would disagree with that.
"I just think the way we've been able to develop our guys particularly in the last couple of years, it shows if you stick to it and get a bit of commitment [that] anything can happen," Blackberry said.
"Everyone's been chasing North for the last seven or eight years, so it's just a matter of everyone's got to get better."
Looking towards his opposition for the weekend, Glenorchy, Blackberry said "you know what you're going to get".
The Magpies sit in the coveted fifth position but are three wins behind the fourth-placed Tigers, who they were defeated by in a tight encounter last week.
"They are a bigger-bodied side, they're quite physical," Blackberry said.
"It was quite a close game with them and the Tigers last week, obviously the conditions weren't perfect for them but I think we know what we are going to get.
"Hopefully the deck has dried out a bit and there hasn't been too much rain and we can get out and run and use our ball movement and hopefully run them into the ground.
"Contested ball will be a major factor on the weekend with the way they like to play but they are starting to get some of their troops back, which is good for the comp because it makes them stronger and gives us a challenge."
The Blues comprehensively won the previous clash between the two sides as Dylan Riley booted nine in the 148-point victory.
Dangerously for the Magpies, Launceston is set the regain one of its superstars this week as Harper plays his first game of the year.
Finishing his eight-week training course with the Tasmanian Fire Service, last year's player of the year winner is fresh and ready to lead the Blues again
"Good luck stopping him on the weekend I reckon, I don't think I've seen him this fresh this far through a season, so I don't think I'd be wanting to line up against him on the weekend," Blackberry said.
"As annoying as he is, he just brings energy, he doesn't stop and is just a fierce competitor.
"This time of year he is normally pretty banged up, he's been through a long pre-season and obviously with the quality of player he is, he's normally getting tagged quite heavily so for him to be super fresh, running around, it's going to be a massive tick for us."
He makes his return alongside his stand-in skipper Jake Hinds, Groenewegen and Cody Thorp, who has spent his time on the sidelines after being suspended against North Launceston.
Coach Thorp, Ronan Filgate, Bowen Pearce and Tyson Miller make way as Glenorchy welcomes back Matthew Joseph and John Geard at the expense of Zac Webster and Brayden Webb.
TOP FIVE
- Launceston - 8 wins, 1 loss, 32 pts
- North Launceston - 8 wins, 2 losses, 32 pts
- Clarence - 6 wins, 3 losses, 24 pts
- Tigers - 6 wins, 4 losses, 24 pts
- Glenorchy - 3 wins, 6 losses, 12 pts