It’s not every day a player playing 250 matches for one club, in fact it’s only happened 20 times in the history of the Blackwood Football Club. This weekend during Round 7 of the Hills Football League, Nick Work becomes the 21st player to reach the milestone.
Speaking to the loyal clubman, Work said it was such an honour to play 250 matches for the club. “It’s a pretty special feeling to be in an exclusive group of very few players who have reached 250 games the 100 plus year history of the club. It’s not something you think about when you first start playing senior footy, but to play 250 at one club is a massive achievement for myself and something I’m very proud of.“
Starting his senior career in 2005, Work has had an amazing run playing at least 16 games in every season. Progressing from the clubs junior ranks Work quickly learnt his ruck crafts. “There are many players I learnt things from over the years, particularly the better players in the Central A’s and Country A’s teams during the time the club had four senior teams. I also watch a lot of AFL footy and have learnt a lot from just watching over the years. Different skills and tactics that can be used, particularly with ruckwork.”
Work has been apart of a remarkably successful period playing in six reserves between 2008 and 2015. 2008 was the first success Work achieved, being a part of the successful B Grade premiership side. “It was an amazing feeling win and also play in the same team as my two brothers (Simon and Andrew). It’s very rare that three brothers play in a premiership team in any sport.”
He has been luckily enough to win another four premierships across his career (2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015). Whilst Work remembers all the premierships with fond memories, he vividly remembers the 2012 flag like it was yesterday. “I played well that day contributing to the win and I knew we had the game won just after 3 quarter time when we were seven goals up. It was the best feeling for the next 15 minutes knowing you were about to achieve the ultimate success.”
At only 31 years of age, Work seems to be getting better with age. So far in 2018 he has played all six B Grade matches being named in the best players on four occasions (66.7%). This is his highest percentage of any year in his career. Work hopes he has many years of football left in him. “Who knows how long I can keep playing for, 2 or 3 more years maybe. If I’m still fit enough and if footy still fits in with family life, I’ll keep playing while I can. The passion to keep playing is still there.”
Across Works 249 senior matches he has some outstanding statistics:
- 76 (30.5%) A Grade, 169 (67.8%) B Grade, 4 (1.6%) C Grade
- 78.0% winning percentage*
- 101 Goals (0.54 per match)* (Most Goals in Match – Six in Round 4 of 2015)
- 35 Times in Best Players (22.0%)* (1st: 6 times, 2nd: 7 times, 3rd: 3 times, 4th: 9 times, 5th: 10 times)
- 5 Premierships – B Grade 2008, B Grade 2011, B Grade 2012, B Grade 2014 and B Grade 2015
- Biggest win* – Round 1 2016 v Echunga – 200 points
- Biggest loss* – Round 4 2013 v Uraidla Districts – 69 points
- B Grade Vice Captain (2011, 2012)
- Club Best on Ground in 2011 and 2012 Grand Finals (Didn’t get the umpires medal though)
- 3rd in 2011 Reserves Hills Football League Mail Medal Count
- Best Team Man Award (2010)
* Records only date back to the start of 2010
