General News
25 June, 2021
Demons premiership skipper to play game 400
LISMORE Derrinallum stalwart Scott Henderson will reach a major milestone tomorrow (Saturday).
LISMORE Derrinallum stalwart Scott Henderson will reach a major milestone tomorrow (Saturday).
The long-time Demons footballer will pull on the red and blue for the 400th time when he lines up in the reserves contest against SMW Rovers at Lismore Recreation Reserve.
The 42 year-old, who played his first game for Derrinallum at 16 years of age, will become the first player at the club to play 400 games.
But it will not be the first time the decorated clubman is celebrated, with the champion footballer having previously played in and captained senior premierships while chalking up 350 senior games.
He is also a two-time club best and fairest, life member, committee member and has also coached the club’s reserves and under 16s and is the Demons longest serving senior captain.
Henderson, who runs his own trucking company, said he was thrilled to be the first player to hit the number at Lismore Derrinallum.
“It’s good to get 400 games but the best part of it has been winning the premierships here,” he said.
“I captained the 2015 senior premiership and then fluked one in 2017 as well while I’ve played in a lot of losing ones too.
“It’s been good. I’ve made a heap of good friends and everything like that.
“It gives me a focus away from the trucks too. I’ve got six B-doubles and a farm as well so it gives me a focus away from that and if you don’t have something like this (the footy club) you become a slave to it (working all the time) and then you don’t enjoy it I find.”
While COVID-19 initially delayed Henderson’s milestone game last year, the veteran admitted there was numerous reasons behind his decision to continue taking the field each week despite his senior days being numbered.
“This milestone was one of them but I just enjoy it,” Henderson said.
“I love the competitive edge and I love physicality and meeting mates and doing stuff together.
“If I didn’t do this I’d just be at home working, but they’re the things that keep me going as well a little bit of fitness.
“I could sit there for 15, 16 hours in the truck a day and end up very unfit so I need to do something.”
Henderson’s milestone week got off to an interesting start.
Unluckily he split his eye open and ventured to Camperdown hospital to have nine stitches but it has not affected his preparation.
He said he was looking forward to celebrating his milestone post-game and reflecting on his football journey, adding premierships along the way have been the biggest highlight.
“I probably reflect more on the premierships I’ve got because I’ve played in a heap of losing senior grand finals,” Henderson said.
“I played in my first one in 1997. We were six goals up at half-time and I’d only just turned 18 and I thought they were going to come along all the time at that age.
“Then there was a bit of a spell and I lost two grand finals in 2003 and 2004 to Rovers and then I had to wait 11 years for another one.
“I don’t think you can take anything for granted in football.”
Henderson thanked the Lismore Derrinallum supporters and committee, and his family for their support throughout his football career.