By Josh Ward.
It’s been a storied career for Grattan Stephens in the EFNL and he’ll add another accolade to it this Saturday.
The man well known as ‘Sticks’ will pass 300 EFNL games when he runs onto Koonung Reserve in Chirnside Park’s game against Nunawading.
Stephens said that in recent days the build up towards his milestone game had started to increase.
“It’s been quite a big buildup social media wise and (Thursday) night the club did a few things, I invited a few people from different clubs to have dinner down there.
“A few mates from Vermont, a few mates from South Croydon potentially…most of the guys at Mooroolbark are at Chirnside which is good”.
Originally debuting with Donvale having played his juniors with Park Orchards, Stephens would then move on to play at EFNL powerhouse Vermont.
“When I was at Vermont I sort of knew my time was up there just based on the game time I was getting in the third year I was there.”
After that stint he would then make the move to South Croydon in 2009, with Stephens particularly enjoying his time at Cheong Park.
“I went back for Dano King’s 300th the other week and you never know what you’re going to get going to another, about how people respond.
“They’ve been unbelievable though, every time I walk through the door everyone gives you a hug, it was great going back there.”
Following his time at South Croydon, which included the 2009 Division 2 premiership, Stephens would then make the move to Mooroolbark under then coach Paris Harvie.
“Mooroolbark was fairly similar. I had a few good years there under Paris and then Heath (Black) came in and he wanted to go his own way with the list.
Then came the move to his current club in Chirnside Park, a side that the year before he had joined the club alongside current coach Dave Newlands had not won a game in Division 3.
“The thing that I’ve always said has been why I want to go there is to make a difference. It’s easy to go to a club that’s winning or they’ve got an established list, Chirnside weren’t winning and they didn’t have an established list.
“If we hopefully in a couple of weeks time hold up the silverware it’d probably be one of my most rewarding accomplishments in footy apart from the 300 games and the four flags.”
There’ve been many accomplishments over Stephens’ journey in the EFNL, however there’s one that stands out the most.
“My Aunty who’s no longer with us had an idea to put my sports memorabilia in the garage and racing stuff that I’ve got, I was a keen horse race follower.
“So that’s all in there and I looked up at the wall the other day but I managed to get Team of the Decade for South Croydon…I really appreciate being put into that team but usually I always go to the four flags.”
Stephens also feels that staying nearly completely injury free for over a decade is also a proud accomplishment.
“Been very lucky with injuries, I’ve only missed two games since 2009 after having a few years off after Vermont so been lucky with that.”
There’s been many great teammates across the journey for Stephens across all five clubs.
“Brad Hall was the ruckman prior to me at Vermont, Robbie Ross was there at the time as well…Ryan Mullet as well, probably a tie between (him and Hall).
“Liam Fitzgerald sticks out there as being a favourite teammate from South Croydon…Mooroolbark, I’m going to go with Trent Georgiou.
“And then probably at Chirnside probably all the boys I brought across from Mooroolbark but Ben Slattery and Josh Clavant, I’ll go with those two because they’re legends.
And there’ve been many great coaches along the way for Stephens, including Dave Newlands, Paris Harvie and Vermont legend David Banfield.
“I’ve been pretty lucky to have the coaches I’ve had and I haven’t had too many issues with too many of them.
“I guess if you’re getting picked in the side, you’re playing ok footy and they’re liking what you do then you don’t have too much of a problem each week.”
This year will see the end of Stephens’ glittering career, saying that the time was right to start giving back to his family.
“My wife keeps on saying to me that something’s going to come up, you’re definitely going to accept and it’d be back to square one where you’re playing footy again.
“But I want to give back to the kids, my parents were great to me. I want to make sure that I give back to my own kids and they get the bringing up that my parents allowed me to stand here and talk today about my career.
“Hopefully they’re able to do the same.”
However when he does retire Stephens added that he’ll miss the camaraderie around the playing group on a training night.
“You go to a footy club and you forget about everyone else’s problems because the boys are there and they just want to have a bit of fun and muck around.
“For a two hour period where you’re training, not that I enjoy training too much, you go there, get around each other and it’s a really positive atmosphere. That’s what I’m gonna miss most about it.
And there are many people that Stephens would like to thank for being there in recent history and throughout his journey.
“I’ll start with the wife, she’s allowed me to play for as many years as I can. She’s given her blessing with that which has been great.
“Definitely my three kids because they love coming and watching each week, they’re old enough to know what’s going on which has been great, seeing them grow and develop watching an old man run around.
“My mum and dad, as I mentioned before they’ve been an absolute pillar of support throughout my whole career…
“All the volunteers, they make up footy clubs and anyone that I’ve come across that’s been able to help not only me but the footy clubs I’ve been at I thank you for that.
“All the coaches that I’ve had as well, as I said I can’t say a bad word about them, all of them have been really supportive. And the teammates that I’ve had, unbelievable people.”