By Beth Newman
Don’t believe a forward who says they don’t know how many goals they’ve kicked.
Mayne’s Luke Faulkner booted his 100th goal of the home and away season in the QFA (North) season on Saturday, in a 14-goal haul and said he had counted every one of them.
“I’m probably one of those guys that definitely counts them and knows what I’ve kicked,” he said.
“If someone asks a forward how many goals they’ve kicked and they make out they don’t know, I think that’s a bit of a lie.
“I prefer to be upfront and honest and most forwards would know anyway.”
With 93 goals going into last weekend’s match against Caboolture, Faulkner wasn’t certain he would make it, but it only took one half for him to reach the milestone.
“Early on, I didn’t think it would happen, because I was spraying it a bit,” he said.
“It was nice to get it done finally.”
Once he made the century, just shy of half-time Faulkner was mobbed by the sides’ reserves, who had been counting down in Mayne’s Ressies’ Pocket, through the match.
Faulkner has been the dominant forward in the QFA (North) competition, with his tally of 107 goals, 58 clear of his closest rival, with three weeks left in the regular season.
After playing the majority of his footy in the midfield in the past, Faulkner has switched to a full-time full-forward this season and it’s obviously paying off.
Now that the triple-figure milestone has been checked off, Faulkner’s mind will turn to the Tigers’ goal of playing in their first final for almost two decades.
“Hopefully, I just keep doing the job, do what I’m there for and hopefully they just keep coming off alright,” he said.
“More importantly, hopefully it it means that the team wins.”
Mayne currently sits on top of the QFA (North) ladder, undefeated after 15 rounds.
Faulks’ Top Five of 2014
1. 14 v Caboolture, Rd 15
This will be a game to remember for Faulkner. A massive haul in a dominant win for his side and a chance to claim the 100, with so much time left in the season. It is another highlight to add to the Tigers’ 2014 list.
2. 14 v Caboolture, Rd 8
Last weekend’s 14 was not his first big haul of the season, with Faulkner booting the same tally in Rd 8 against the Lions. It took him past another key milestone as well, as the key forward made it to 50 in that game.
3. 11 v Caboolture, Rd 1
Faulkner kicked off Mayne’s season with a bang, kicking his first double figure haul of the year straight off the bat, in a comfortable win over the Lions at Mott St.
4. 9 v Nambour & Hinterland, Rd 7
Faulkner’s Rd eight day out was set up by this strong performance against Nambour, taking his tally to 43 in just six games.
5. 9 v Aspley, Rd 10
Fualkner stood up against local rivals, Aspley, with one shy of a double digit haul against the Hornets, rebounding after his second lowest tally, of five goals, the week before. Since then, he has managed tallies of seven (twice), eight and this weekend’s 14.
