Sport
24 June, 2021
Home-grown defender chalks up milestone
IF you had have told Joe Arundell when he was a teenager that he would play 100 games for his home club, it would have been hard to wipe the smile off his face.
IF you had have told Joe Arundell when he was a teenager that he would play 100 games for his home club, it would have been hard to wipe the smile off his face.
The 25 year-old became the latest footballer to play 100 games for Terang Mortlake, with his milestone game falling last weekend against North Warrnambool.
Arundell, who has played all his senior football at Terang Mortlake, said he was proud to play 100 games for his home club.
He admits it is a milestone he always dreamed of doing despite revealing the achievement crept up on him.
“I probably haven’t thought too much about it, it just happened, but if you had have told me when I was 13 or 14 that I’d play 100 senior games I would have been pretty happy,” Arundell said.
“It’s not something I’ve put much thought into but probably later down the track I’ll be pretty happy with it I suppose.”
Arundell’s journey to 100 games has taken him nine seasons, with injury cruelling him shortly after his debut.
He played his first game under Shane Threllfall against Warrnambool in 2012 before the next couple of seasons weere spent on and off the sidelines.
However, his growth upon his return has been immense, especially across the past two seasons.
Bursting onto the scene mainly as a small forward, Arundell has since developed into one of the Bloods’ best players as an intercepting small defender.
He said getting a good go at it following his injury battles had enabled him to develop his craft to a point where he is now Terang Mortlake’s x-factor.
“My first game was when I was 16 and I only played one that year,” Arundell said.
“The next two or three years I didn’t play much as I was injured, I had crook hips which they pretty much said was from growing.
“After that I was in and out when I was 19, 20 and since then I probably haven’t missed too many senior games.
“It probably took me a little while to get going when I started but I’ve been able to get continuity now.”
With the Bloods also in the midst of blooding younger players, Arundell’s leadership credentials have also grown.
This year he is lending a hand in developing the club’s up-and-comers, something he is enjoying.
“I’m probably now one of the older ones,” Arundell said.
“There’s probably only four or five blokes older than me at the moment but it’s good that we’re there to help them along I suppose.
“It wasn’t too long ago I was probably one of the younger ones, so it’s good (to be able to help out).”