Tara Murray
The joy of running out alongside his mates every week keeps Scott Mizzi on the football field each week in the Western Region Football League.
So when he ran out for game 500 on Saturday, as Sunshine Heights took on North Sunshine, for Mizzi it was just another game.
“It’s a big achievement, but it’s like any other game and I’ll go out there and play footy,” he said before the match.
“I’ve been pretty lucky with injuries. I just take it one week at a time.”
The 500 games has included both junior and seniors matches across a number of clubs, all in the WRFL.
He started with Altona before playing at the Western Magpies (now Laverton), Sunshine Heights, Deer Park and earlier this season Glen Orden.
In recent weeks he has returned to Sunshine Heights, playing two matches since returning.
Mizzi said it was the friendship that kept him returning every year.
“The mateship, friends and the love of the game,” he said.
“I’ve lost a bit of interest in the game, but I was getting close to 500 games. It pushed me from there.
“I’ve never won a premiership. I coached juniors at Werribee Centrals in 2019 and they won the under-16 premiership which is a highlight.
“The joy of getting to run out every week and do something I love, keeps me going.”
Mizzi said he did consider giving the game away the last couple of years with COVID meaning that there were two years without a full season.
But the thought of 500 games kept him going.
In recent times Mizzi has played both reserves and seniors, as he has gotten a bit older.
Since returning to Sunshine Heights, he has played one of each.
Mizzi said things had changed at Sunshine Heights, but was enjoying his time back at the club. The club was sitting fourth heading into Saturday’s game.
“There’s a lot of new faces, it’s a breath of fresh air,” he said.
“[Coach] Colby [Blyth] is really calm and collected and knowledgeable.”
Mizzi said having reached the milestone, he was unsure how long he would continue playing on for.
He said having coached before, he was unlikely to do that after he returned.
“I think the end is closer,” he said. “I’d like to keep pushing until my body tells me I’ve had enough.
“I’ll just get through this week first. Once I’m finished, I’ll sit back and relax and enjoy my kids playing.”
