IT’S often said that football-netball clubs are like one big family.
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And no one knows that better than Yarrawonga’s Annalise Grinter.
After losing her mum, Tracey, to cancer 13 years ago, J.C. Lowe Oval has become a second home for Grinter (nee Bourke) and her sisters Kaitlyn and Laura.
On Saturday, she will celebrate 150 A grade appearances for Yarrawonga when the Pigeons host Wodonga.
It will also mark Grinter’s 200th club appearance for the Pigeons after making her debut in C grade in 2003.
It’s a significant milestone for the reliable defender, who was first encouraged to trial with the Pigeons by her mother, a long-time Ovens and Murray netball umpire.
“The first game of netball I played for Yarrawonga was the year mum died and the whole football-netball club, with people like Kay and Bert Tait and Tracy Gillies, they’ve done so much for our family,” the 29-year-old said.
“They drove us to netball, took us to training and we stayed at their house – they were unbelievable.
“Kay made sure we had uniforms to wear, got there on time and even that our hair was pinned up.
“The football-netball club has a really important meaning to us as a family.
“Dad (Ian) is there every week – he doesn’t say much, he just sits behind the crowd but he’s a pretty awesome dad.
“We’ve got a pretty special bond, us three girls, after losing our mum so young. It’s been the best, playing netball with my sisters.
“It’s pretty cool, I think that’s what makes me the proudest to walk out to play 150 games, all the awesome people around me.”
Grinter has played in four premierships, including two alongside her sisters, from eight grand final appearances in a decorated career with the Pigeons.
She is looking forward to renewing acquaintances with Wodonga after going down to the Bulldogs in last season’s grand final.
In an added bonus, Grinter won’t have to contend with sharp-shooter Jane Cook, either.
“It’s always tough playing against Wodonga, they’ve got great coaches and even though they are a younger side, they’re developing really well,” she said.
“It will be great to play my 150th game against them.”
After reeling off 12 straight victories to start the season, you get the feeling Yarrawonga will celebrate in style on Saturday. Not that winning and losing is the be-all and end-all for Grinter.
“You can’t help what happens in life. Life deals lots of people lots of different hands and for someone who lost their mum so young, I’ve had a pretty good life,” she said.
Amen to that.