Grose joins NEAFL greats with special milestone

Aspley veteran Gavin Grose will become the just the fifth player and second Hornet to reach 150 NEAFL matches when he plays Canberra at Voxson Oval on Saturday.

Grose, 30, said the achievement was special but said that he was prouder of his time and friendships made with the Hornets.

A former captain of Mt Gravatt in the early years, Grose reached 100 club games last week since joining the Hornets in 2014.

“To reach the 150-match milestone and to meet the other four lads (Darren Ewing, Cameron Ilett, Reece Toye and Aaron Bruce) that is something I am quite proud of,” Grose told neafl.com.au.

“To get 100 games at one club, I personally think was more of an achievement. I play for the friends and life experiences. The football is obviously a bonus but my wife and I have made some fantastic friends over the journey.”

Making his NEAFL debut in the Round 1, 2011 for the Mt Gravatt Vultures, the former Port Adelaide rookie admitted it was a hard decision to leave the club he captained in the NEAFL’s foundation season.

“It is always hard trying to find that new club because you always think that you are going to stay at that one club until you retire,” he said.

“The way it turned out was that I had to find a new club in Aspley and we were very, very fortunate to win a flag and to have some on-field success over the last six years.”

A four-time NEAFL Team of the Year member, league representative and premiership player, Grose was most proud of the friendships and experiences of his 14-year senior football career when reflecting on his football journey.

“It seems to have gone by quite fast, but it’s not until you reach the milestone and you look back on what you have done and what you have achieved,” he said.

“I have been very fortunate to play in every state and territory in Australia through football and I have made some fantastic friends.

“Winning the flag in 2014 was a very special moment and just being a part of a good club like Aspley is the main thing for me.”

Coming off the back of a three-game winning streak, Grose said the Hornets have been able to respond well from their 0-3 start to the year to get to an even 5-5 record.

With some good recent form the Hornets will be confident but wary of a hungry Canberra Demons side on Saturday afternoon.

“You cannot count on anyone in this competition, you saw last week that Canberra almost beat the Swans, so there is no way anyone here at the Hornets is taking Canberra lightly,” Grose said.

“Hopefully we will get the win and we can celebrate with our annual gala ball tomorrow night.”

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