Rupanyup veteran Ross Tickner is set to play his 300th game | Photos

The Panthers will take on Kalkee. The Kees sit one position above the Panthers on the ladder. 

Tickner grew up in Rupanyup and said he loved the town. 

“I played junior football until I was 16 and then jumped straight into the senior side,” he said. 

Tickner couldn’t ever imagine leaving the Panthers. 

“I always wanted to play for the club, it’s a good little community and everyone knows everyone,” he said. 

Tickner, 32, plays majority of his football in the forward line but said when he was younger he played through the midfield. 

He joked that it was getting harder to play. 

“After some games I’m pretty bad but then after other games I am good, it’s just the way it is,” he said. 

“I play reserves now but I enjoy playing senior footy. I like having fun with my mates.

“Hopefully we can come away with a win.” 

Tickner recalled the changes the club has been through.  “When I first started playing senior football Rupanyup was a fairly strong side,” he said. 

“Since then it has been harder to field numbers but that’s just the way it is.

“This year we have quite a young side and they have been playing good football, even though we haven’t been getting the points on the board.” 

Tickner believes a small community needs a football club. 

“You just have to have it, it gives everyone a chance to catch up after a week out on the farm,” he said. 

Playing football with Stephen Lingham and Paul Morgan was a highlight of his career. 

“Growing up playing with them, they were pretty handy footballers,” Tickner said. 

“I am lucky enough to say I did play with them.” 

Tickner won one best and fairest for the reserves in 2001.