TONY Wilkinson is a Merton man who works as a shearer and manages a farm in Maindample in his spare time.
How he has any time spare—aside from a footballing career that has now seen him play 600 games of local footy—is anyone’s guess.
600 games.
It’s an unthinkable achievement, one that would have the evergreen Scott Pendlebury waking in the middle of the night in a cold sweat, feeling the phantom aches and pains of games and bumps long past.
Wilko has amassed 600 games over a long and storied career that started with his hometown club of Tatong, took him over to Swanpool, up to Goorambat, across to Glenrowan, and down to Wyndham Vale—all via seven years across two spells at, and a life membership with, the Bonnie Doon Bombers.
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He was part of the side when the Bonnie Doon Reserves last won the premiership, and was playing there until as recently as the start of this season, when he left to join the Benalla All Blacks—where his brother-in-law is president and his family ties are strong.
Along with his brother-in-law, his sister, sons, nephew and niece are all involved with the club.
His niece is approaching her 100th game as a netballer for the club.
Wilko’s career has been going for so long that he’s had the rare opportunity to play alongside his three sons—Shawn, Jordan and Tony—while his two daughters, Montana and Dakota, have been able to bring his two grandsons, Justin and Kalyn, to barrack for their dear old grandad.
Wilko’s son Jordan pulled on the all-black jersey of Benalla and turned out for the reserves in their defeat against Tarrawingee, when Wilko notched that unthinkable 600th appearance.
Sam Donnelly, Wilko's wife and biggest (and loudest) fan from the sidelines, attributed his incredible durability to lifestyle and winning the genetic lottery.
"He has played 34 seasons of football now, he's 49 years old and he's still all muscle," she said.
"It's his lifestyle as a shearer and a football player—he's so fit and active that he can eat whatever he likes and not put on any weight.
"There's no stopping him.
"He's going to keep going as long as he can."
We asked Wilko how his body is holding up, 600 games into his career.
He said, beyond a bit of a sore back, it’s holding up well.
And his secret to recovery this deep into his career?
"I'll have a beer after the game," he said.
"It feels good to have played in my 600th match.
"It's still a lot of fun and it's special to be able to play with my sons.
"Young Tony, my youngest, wanted to play alongside me in my 600th but unfortunately he's out with an injury.
"I should be playing in my 700th in about four years’ time—and that's the plan at the moment—so he's got plenty of time to get fit for that."
