EVERY week there is a standout player who gets the football community talking. This week COLIN MacGILLIVRAY catches up with Swifts veteran Jamie Britten, who played his 400th district league game at the weekend.
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WHEN Jamie Britten started playing football in 1989, some of his current team-mates had not been born yet.
Britten racked up his 400th Horsham District Football Netball League game at the weekend when he ran out with the seniors against Rupanyup.
It was an extra special day for Britten and the club, which celebrated its 100th year of existence.
Britten first played open age football for Quantong as a 16-year-old, before joining Prestige-Trinity in the now defunct Ararat and District Football Association in 1997.
He served as assistant coach with the team for three seasons, before buying a pub in Stawell and joining Swifts.
Britten's career has been filled with numerous highlights, including premierships with Quantong in 1993 and 1994, and with Swifts in 2003.
He also won three best and fairest awards and was runner-up twice.
He said individual awards were not his goal however, and he took more pride in team success.
"I've never been a big fan of personal achievements," he said.
"It's not something I hold in high regard it's premierships and team performances that are the reason why you play the game.
"The people you meet playing football, from different cultures and backgrounds, are probably what makes it worth playing."
Britten booted a goal in the Baggies' anniversary game and was mobbed by team-mates. He joked that they had made it hard for him to get on the board.
Britten said his small, nuggety frame was one of the secrets to his longevity.
"I remember a few blokes who played for Rupanyup and Willie Hanson from Natimuk who had bigger bodies and got to 400 games," he said.
"It's a massive achievement for those blokes, because I obviously only play a small role in a big man's game."