By Abby Collins
This weekend, the Surfers Paradise Demons will witness a monumental milestone as one of their most decorated players, Brody Haberfield, laces up for his 200th senior game.
Known for his dynamic playing skills and driven personality, Haberfield has become a modern legend within the club, earning accolades and admiration from teammates, coaches, and supporters alike.
From the tender age of 10, Brody found his home in the red, navy and white, never looking back.
His journey with the Demons has been nothing short of spectacular, marked by a series of achievements that read like a footy fairy tale.
Captaining the team to their first QAFL flag, winning the Best and Fairest, representing the state as a captain, and clinching the coveted Mark of the Year last season—Haberfield has done it all.
“I captained for six years until 2021,” Haberfield said.
“We obviously won a flag in 2019, which is probably the highlight of my career so far.
“I’ve just been moving along playing seniors for Surfers since I was 16. 200 games, with a few injuries and some good footy.”
His time with the Dees hasn’t been without its challenges.
Haberfield suffered two injuries, forcing him to take the sidelines for those seasons.
Having always been invested in his on-field fitness, even in the off-season, Haberfield used jiu-jitsu to keep his fitness sharp.
“I have a bit of energy, so I can’t sit still and just do mundane workouts,” he said.
“I need to do some explosive exercise.”
With the energy and effort Brody has put into the club thus far, this milestone is one to celebrate.
“This milestone means quite a bit,” he said.
“I’ve been at the club for a long time, and a lot of the people that I started my senior journey with are people that volunteer and help out the club, making it what it is today.
“So, it actually means quite a lot to know that I’ve given back to the club and hopefully helped to get to where we are today.
“Moving up into the QAFL was a pretty big deal for the club. The first few years were tough because it’s a strong competition so being able to win a flag and then stay around at the top tier of the competition is pretty cool.”
Matthew Lappin, Haberfield’s current coach, couldn’t be prouder.
“Brody is a legend and champion of our footy club when it comes to servants of our club,” Lappin said.
“I know a lot of the club stalwarts talk about him as one of the best, if not the best players to ever play for the Demons, and he’s a premiership captain.
“He’s been a fierce, competitive defender that forwards have hated playing against for decades.”
Not just a tale of athletic prowess, Brody’s red, navy and white story is also one of deep-rooted relationships and community involvement.
Over the years, he has built strong bonds with his teammates and the club’s volunteers.
“If I am being completely honest, I’ve been trying to retire for the last three years, but, footy is pretty fun because I’ve got a relationship with the club, so it’s hard for me to give it up,” he said.
The 2019 QAFL premiership remains one of the crowning achievements of Brody’s career. That year, under his captaincy, Surfers Paradise clinched their first senior QAFL premiership.
His leadership on and off the field instrumental in shaping the team’s culture and success.
Despite his numerous accolades, including the coveted Mark of the Year in 2023, Brody remains focused on the collective success of the Demons, rather than individual glory.
As the Demons prepare for this weekend’s game, the significance of Brody’s 200th match isn’t lost on the team.
“We’re aware of what this game means for him,” Lappin said.
“So, we want to make sure that we put on a good show.
“Not only is it important game for our season, it’s a very important game for one of the most decorated players to ever wear the Demons’ footy jumper.”
As Brody prepares for his 200th game, the entire Demons community is rallying behind him.
When Haberfield steps onto the field this weekend, supporters will witness not just a game, but the celebration of a career.
