When speaking with Gavin Knee, it’s clear how passionate he is about the Tamworth Swans.
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But if you witness the 39-year-old on game day or at a training run, that’s where you get a real sense of his passion.
Knee’s always first on hand to impart some wisdom or to make a quick comment to get the best out of a player.
The stalwart will play his 200th game for his beloved club against New England on Saturday at No. 1 Oval.
It means a lot to Knee but what means more is helping out the next generation of Swans.
“It’s probably a privilege more than anything and [I’m] trying to instil in the young guys just what it means to play for the Swans and that what a privilege it is to pull on red and white jumper,” Knee said of playing 200 games.
“To join guys like Dean Finlay and Damien Wendt is more of an honour than anything.”
Knee has won premierships, he’s been a leading goal-scorer and he’s won best and fairest awards during his time with the Swans.
However, following years of missing the AFL North West finals, the veteran says he’s enjoying his football as much as ever in 2018.
“I've always enjoyed it. Whether it's been a premiership year or when we’ve been at the bottom of the table or rebuilding like this year,” Knee said.
“It's always been the same type of people at the nucleus of the club.
“The club just attracts the right kind of person – on and off the field.
“Whether it’s the volunteers, or the people who pull boots on, we’ve always had good people.”
“It's just a pleasure to play.”
Knee says he’s been lucky with injury during his time playing Aussie rules but a rare calf strain – one he puts down to “old man syndrome” – prevented the stalwart from racking up his 200th game earlier after playing his 199th game three weeks ago.
Knee said his calf was “100 per cent” for Saturday’s clash and despite turning 40 in August, he can still see himself sticking around for some years to come.
“I’d like to think so, but certainly if the body holds up, I’ll keep playing,” he said.
“It’s a good outlet from work and with good people around it’s very easy to keep playing.
“The young fella wants to play a senior game with me so to do that I might have to play 250.”
There’s been plenty of highlights for Knee over the years.
The 2006 premiership is one but the Swans’ 2009 premiership win over Inverell – a game where Knee also claimed the Graham Nuttall Medal – is the standout for Knee.
“09 was a special year,” Knee said.
“We had one of the best footy brains around in Rick Watt coaching.
“We went up there and beat Inverell in Inverell. That was certainly a highlight for the club.”
Making the win all the more special was how strong the competition was that year.
“2009 and 2010 was as good as it’s [level] ever been in the AFL North West,” Knee said.
“And the level is getting back to there.”
The Swans will be chasing a win this Saturday that would give them breathing room in the top four. It would see the Swans go two wins in front of the Kangaroos while a win for the Nomads would see them finish no lower than third on the ladder.
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