It’s a big weekend coming up at Euroa Football Netball Club, but especially for club stawart Marnie Burton.
The 14-year Magpies veteran prepares to raise the proverbial bat for the fourth time in her tenure in the black and white, notching game 200 in this Saturday’s B-reserve meeting with Tatura.
For the club as a whole, there will be celebrations ongoing win or lose with the annual club ball taking place on Saturday night.
It’s safe to say Burton’s calendar was looking busy enough to begin with.
“I did know (the 200th game) was approaching after our president Scott Watson had mentioned it, but it’s not something I was keeping tabs on,” Burton said.
“It’s come as a bit of a surprise, but it’s a good one.
“With our ball on the weekend, that’s where most of our attention has been, but it’s also my daughter’s 13th birthday that day.
“It might be more her day than mine, honestly.”
First arriving at Euroa in 2010 alongside her husband, who has since taken on trainer duties at the club, Burton’s motivation to don the Magpie dress was more social than anything.
“I got started just to make friends at first, because I was new to the town,” Burton said.
“I just needed to meet new people, but 14 years later with two kids in that time, it’s been a good journey.
“I’ve met lots of people who have been not just teammates, but friends and kind of an extension of your family.
“I reckon it was a good call back then.”
As far as her favourite memories on the court, nothing sticks out quite like a premiership.
The sweetness is amplified that much more, though, when your flag comes as a long-awaited drought-breaker — but the circumstances could leave you believing in superstitions.
“I started in A-grade, but the older and more unfit that I’ve become, I’ve moved down from there,” Burton said.
“I was fortunate enough to win a B-grade flag in 2019 and I think it had been 36 years since Euroa had won a netball premiership when we did it.
“Funnily enough, our average squad age that day was 36 and sure enough, we shot 36 goals in the final, so it might have been an omen, but it was definitely my best time.
“We joke with the A-graders that we’re still the only ones who beat Echuca on grand final day and I think that’s still a bit raw for some of them.”
Burton maintains she will know exactly when the time feels right to hang it up.
Before she feels comfortable giving up the game, there’s a noble maternal goal she seeks to tick off.
“It’s not so much my own playing that I like the most at the moment; my daughter has started in the 15-and-under now,” Burton said.
“The day we both first put on the same dress was pretty special.
“I’m hoping that in the years to come, we might be able to line up together on the court just once, although she’s a much better netballer than me.
“Once that happens, I’ll definitely hang it up and retire, but I’m looking forward to playing alongside her even just for one quarter.
“There’s definitely no better club to do it at.”
Looking back on the journey overall, though, there was one ever-present figure Burton felt obliged to shout out for their consistent support.
“I think it would be remiss if I didn’t thank my husband,” Burton said.
“He takes care of all the girls and I each week and we’re really appreciative of that.
“Hopefully with the assistance of him strapping my ankles each week, I can stay together long enough to fulfill my dream with my daughter.”
Euroa meets Tatura this weekend in the first half of Goulburn Valley League netball’s split round 12, while Shepparton United entertains reigning premier Echuca at Deakin Reserve and Seymour hosts Shepparton Swans at Kings Park.