Queensland stalwart, Bill Magin, will play his 700th match this weekend.
Queensland footy stalwart, Bill Magin, is lining up for his 700th match this weekend.
The AFL Queensland hall of famer will line up for the Pomona Cooroy Demons masters side against Caboolture in the milestone game.
Originally from Seaford in Victoria, Magin has become a fixture of AFL in Queensland.
His football career has spanned almost four decades, with stints in Victoria, Western Australia and South Australia.
Over that time, Magin has had an incredibly decorated football career, picking up 12 club best and fairests, three league best and fairests (in the Sunshine Coast and Cairns).
The veteran was also a prolific goal scorer through his career, with four 100-goal seasons.
And over that time, Magin has had a few funny moments, including one back-to-front trip to training.
“I had five of my kids in the car and I was half way to footy training, when my gear box just stopped and wouldn’t go forward,” he recalls.
“So I drove in reverse for the last 10 km.
“When I got to the footy club I couldn’t turn the head around twisted. That was pretty funny.”
Magin also has a strong rep footy history, having played for South Queensland, North Queensland and the Sunshine Coast, picking up nine country carnival best and fairests.
The wiry midfielder, who has been at Pomona for just on 30 years now, said the club had become a part of his family.
“I spoke to one of the old blokes the other day, who’s been around since the club started…and he said I cannot believe how I’ve stuck with a club,” he said.
“That says a lot about your club, if you really love your club and who you’re playing with you don’t want to go.”
That strong community bond is what Magin says has kept him in footy for so long, along with being able to keep knees and ankles injury-free.
“The community – that’s what really I enjoy now and I appreciate it more than I ever have,” he said.
“The friendships and the bond you have with other people (are great).
“When you’ve been playing footy for a long time see a lot of people and meet a lot of them and have a lot of fun with them.”
Magin is currently the Demons president and has been a valued member of the club’s administration for a long time.
His footy talents have obviously run through the family, with his son Rhys having a sting with Essendon in 2008, while Alik also played for the Gold Coast SUNS.
Two of his sons, Blake and Lanze, are currently playing for the Pomona seniors, while his grandson players in the under-10s.
Magin said it would be a bit of a relief to reach the 700-game mark after so much time in footy.
“Very much looking forward to it, more so that I can get it out of the way step closer to retirement,” he said.
“It’ll be good to have it over and done with and get on with playing a few more games now, not worrying about breaking any records.”
