One of the region’s most storied footballers will bring his career to a close this season, with Berrigan’s Adam Fox set to hang up the boots.
A former Katamatite junior, Fox rose through the ranks at the Tigers to play senior football in the early 1990s, with the stalwart also playing for Cobram, Barooga, Redcliffe (Queensland) and Nightcliff (Northern Territory) before reaching Berrigan.
He said the main reason behind his retirement was “old age”.
“I’m turning 50 in August,” Fox said.
“I’m still kicking but I’m more worried about walking being a bit older.
“It probably makes me feel young, I suppose; either you’ve got to play footy or umpire or do something else, so it’s a lot easier just playing.”
Fox explained that the enjoyment of playing football was what kept him coming back year after year, with travelling Australia one of the main highlights from his career.
“That was pretty special,” he said.
“And probably just lately playing with my son, I suppose.
“Not many people get to play with their kids, I suppose, so it’s quite funny when you get out on the footy field and someone’s yelling out ‘Dad, Dad, Dad’.
“It makes you feel pretty old, but it is good.
“It feels the right time to give up too, so it’s definitely good to have a few games with him.”
Fox’s son Xavier has stepped up from the Berrigan thirds a number of times this season, with the 15-year-old helping the club field senior sides.
Like many clubs across the Picola District League the Saints have struggled to field teams some weeks; however, players such as Fox have helped ensure the wheels keep turning.
“It’s what you play sport for, so probably,” he said.
"Just the passion, it’s a dying passion now the old Aussie rules, it’s not like the old days.“
Fox thanked his teammates over the years for their efforts, while a former Katamatite mentor stood out for having an influence.
“One of my first coaches, Greg Hazelman, probably got me off and going pretty well, so if I was going to thank anyone it would probably be him,” he said.
Success has followed Fox throughout a career featuring multiple premierships and grand finals.
He was a senior assistant coach at Katamatite as the Tigers went through the 1996 season unbeaten, playing alongside his brother Heath, while his father, Ian, was club president.
Fox played in Cobram’s 1998 premiership alongside his brother, before returning to Katamatite to hoist the 2001 title.
Along with his exploits in the black and yellow, Fox had a significant spell at Barooga, including a reserves premiership, before a change from dairy farmer to sheep and hay production saw him move to Berrigan.
After 11 years in the red, white and black, Fox will hang up the boots this year, with one final shot at glory the perfect way to cap off a remarkable career.
While Berrigan’s senior side are now out of the finals race, the reserves will play finals football.
The Saints play Tocumwal in the final round of the regular season on Saturday, with the reserves beginning at 12.25pm and the seniors at 2.05pm.