By Paul Amy - Dandenong Leader - July 22.
"SHE'S been a good old ride, but it's got to stop somewhere,'' Mick Reid said in 2009 as he reflected on his many games for Dandenong Football Club.
"It's time to sit back and watch the younger blokes.''
He was speaking a few days before what he was calling his last game for the club.
When he came off the ground there were three cold beers waiting for him.
He didn't let them get warm.
Trouble is, Mick has been unable to sit back and watch.
As eager as ever for a kick and the camaraderie of a club he says he "really loves'', he's kept fronting up at Greaves Reserve.
And this week, at age 46, he notches his 500th game for Dandy.
"Yeah, I've always got the itch when the season comes around,'' the affable truck driver told Leader.
"I kind of think, well, if the old body is up to it I might as well keep playing."
"What do they say? You're a long time retired? Yeah, you are a long time retired."
"Play while you still can.''
The word "legend'' is thrown around like discount confetti, but Mick Reid is a legend at Greaves Reserve.
He's stuck with the club through its best and worst days, and given nothing less than his best. And with his ready smile and love of a chat and a drink he's helped make it a happy and welcoming place.
Reid started at Dandy in the Under 18s in 1984 and has missed only one season, when he went to live in Perth for 12 months.
In his best days he held down a wing, using his pace.
He was named in that position in Dandenong's team of the half-century.
"I was never a superstar or anything like that,'' Reid said.
"But I could run a bit, could be a bit flashy.''
Slipping down to reserves level, he played in two premiership teams and won league and club best and fairests.
Dandenong has three teams this season. Reid is playing in the backline in the reserves.
"I don't know whether they feel sorry for me or not but that's where they're picking me,'' he said.
"There's a lot of good players around the place. You've got to fight hard for your spot."
"That's OK. I'm just trying my best for the club and for my teammates."
"Without them you're nothing. They're your backbone when you're on the ground.''
For the past three years Reid has been doubling up every fortnight, playing Superules for Hallam.
Dandenong president Daniel Egan calls Reid "the heart and soul of this football club."
"After nearly 500 games, you could be forgiven for going through the motions from time to time, but 'Reidy' is still doing all the work, on and off the track.''
Original story -
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/south-east/dandenong-football-club-lifer-mick-reid-to-clock-up-game-number-500/story-fngnvmhm-1226682086612
