Hi Guys, Love then show, listen when I can mostly on my travels home from work.
Thought it important given the topical discussions about the precious players of today with short careers to let you and your listeners know about a celebration at the Oatley Rugby Club in Sydneys' south this coming weekend
Club legend Rod “Dunnie” Dunn celebrates his 500th game at Evatt Park, Lugarno this saturday - playing 4th grade for Oatley Rugby Club in the 2nd division “Subbies” rugby comp against the Briars sporting club at midday. In what will be a great milestone for Dunnie a big crowd of old players, junior players and friends will be gathering for the game to celebrate Dunnie's many decades of involvement with the club.
Before the “Toff” label comes out against another rugby player, “Dunnies” 500 game milestone carries significance for a number of reasons
Dunnie doesn't play the stock exchange like many perceive rugby players away from the game but can be seen up a ladder most times as a self employed builder, having done so since his apprenticeship in the early 80's. Most Fridays see him finishing off downing a couple at the Peaky Inn with his mates planning the destruction of the opposition for the following day. Funny though, he seems to do most of his quoting on Mondays!
Far from being another old guy who waddles from scrum to scrum (not that there is anything wrong with that), Dunnie has played the majority of his games (and still does) at flanker and No 8 at the scrum, being involved around most plays involving tackle, ruck and maul. For the best part of 10 years Rod played in these positions as first grade captain of the Oatley club.
As for longevity Dunnie reckons his 48 year old legs have another couple of seasons left in them and has set the goal to play a senior game together with his 15 year old son Tim - a goal that I have no doubt he can achieve.
Is it ever possible to put a dollar figure on a guy like this?. For all of his 500 games Dunnie has never sought financial gain and for the past couple of decades has been the one to put his hand in his pocket as a sponsor of the Oatley Rugby Club. Add to this a guy who is one of the first to set up the ground, the last one there with the ute, junior coach, current committee member, life member and general nice guy you can see there is going to be a big celebration at the Oatley Rugby Club for Dunnie this weekend.
And no doubt just as big a thank you to his wife Alex – could there ever be a more understanding rugby widow?
On behalf of the many old players from previous decades who Rod played with we wish him all the best for his 500th game celebrations this sat
Cheers,
Rosco Williamson
Rugby mate
