TWO Roos legends who have been playing side by side for the last 14 years will together make their 200th game appearances when Wentworth FNC seniors step out onto the George Gordon football field and play Merbein this Saturday.
Captain Andy Wall and teammate Nick Jensen will achieve the monumental milestone as they have been at the heart of the Wentworth Roos football program while bleeding red, white and blue.
The co-warriors will run out for their double century together in a must win fixture to keep Wentworth’s slender finals chances breathing.
Wall and Jensen truly understand the components of post-season play, as the pair were crucial parts of the Roos squad that captured their most recent premiership back in 2012.
Both have been integral cogs and club servants for well over a decade.
Skipper Wall admitted the milestone had crept up on him.
“I haven’t really had much time to think about it to be honest,” he said.
“I’m expecting a kid shortly, so haven’t had much time, but it’s just another game really.
“I’m honoured to be able to get to this level, not many people get there and stick around the one place for so long.
“It’s been good.”
The fact Wall will be sharing the occasion with longtime friend and teammate Jensen makes it all the more meaningful.
“It’s going to be pretty special getting to play alongside him,” Wall said.
“We get along really well, and we got to play in the 2012 grand final together, so it’s been a long time coming.
“The passion and everything he puts in, it’s great to still be around doing it with him.”
Jensen was equally glowing in his praise for his teammate and captain.
“It’s a privilege,” said Jensen.
“He’s the captain of the club at the moment, he’s won a couple of best and fairest.
“And he’s probably one of the best, if not the player I’ve ever played with.
“To run out with him, it’s an absolute honour and I can’t wait.”
The compatriots both pinpointed Wentworth’s 2012 Grand Final victory against Irymple as a career highlight.
“I was pretty young and oblivious, so I probably didn’t know what it meant at the time, but it was still amazing to do so and get to experience,” said Wall.
“Some people don’t get to experience it, so, to get one early in your career is pretty special I reckon.”
“That’s probably the highlight, I’d say, of my career up until this point,” Jensen added.
“I’ve loved that part of my career.”
The duo have had a storied number of years with Wentworth and can’t see a conclusion to their tenure any time soon despite the ever looming factor of age growing.
“Hopefully I’m not done yet, but now I’m getting older and been around for a while, it’s pretty special that I get to help out and mentor the young fellas,” said Wall.
“And try to improve their footy as well, because if I help them out, it’s going to improve us as a team at the same time, so that’s pretty special and I enjoy doing that now just as much.
“I’ve talked to a lot of the old blokes that played until their late 30s, so hopefully I’ve still got another six or seven years in me, I’d love to get the 300.
“That would be pretty special.”
Veteran ruckman Jensen deeply thanked his wife and family for the sacrifices they’ve made in making sure he can turn up on the field every Saturday, but admits he’ll struggle to distance himself from pulling on a Roos guernsey.
“I’ll have to talk to my missus and just see what we’re going to do going forward and into next year,” said Jensen
“But I can’t stay away from the club.”
“I love being there, it’s a great club and it’s got great people there.”
For both men, there’s a people first culture at Wentworth that has helped keep them at the club for the entirety of their footballing ventures.
“I’ve been there since Auskick and just the family dynamic at the footy club at the moment is amazing, a few of the boys that I grew up playing footy with, I still get to play with,” said Wall.
The club has just been welcoming since day one, there’s closer places in town that you could play at, but I’ll take that drive out there anytime, it’s just a great place to be, added Jensen.
“Wentworth have shown faith in me, it has just felt like the right thing to do it back the other way,” he said.
Jensen mentioned one final tribute to his good mate and milestone partner.
“Andy Wall might be the best player that I’ve ever played with, but I took him to pieces on the Cairns footy trip, and he’s never gone on one since,” said Jensen.
The Roos faithful will no doubt be out in full force this weekend to salute two club champions.
