AFTER a 13-year journey at the South Morang Football Club, Luke Manning reaches his 250th game this weekend.
Manning has been a very loyal servant to the South Morang Football Club and reaches the milestone when the Lions travel to Watsonia to play the Division 3 ladder-leader on Saturday.
Manning’s career started in 2001 as a 16-year-old. He spent two years in the under-17s at the old Plenty Road oval then made his senior debut in 2004 under current reserves coach Rod Thompson, where he has since hardly missed a game.
His longevity is attributed to a bit of luck and good preparation.
Careers highlights include the 2011 senior premiership, under-17 and 19 best and fairest awards, two times runner up for the senior best and fairest and making the Division 3 Team of the Year in 2009.
He also made the Legends of Plenty Road team, which was announced by South Morang in 2014.
Manning’s family is very important to him and his father is the current vice president of South Morang. He is joined again this year with his brother Matthew, and his wife Lisa, Jedd and Chloe enjoy watching him play.
On behalf of the South Morang Football Netball Club, we congratulate Luke on this wonderful achievement.
THOUGHTS ON LUKE MANNING
Rod Thompson: “I was always in awe of Luke’s resilience since he was a lad. His tolerance to pain and his commitment is unrivalled, and his skills elite. A true champion and gentlemen. No one could ever make Toady feel inferior, not without his consent anyway. Congratulations on a remarkable 250 games.”
Ken McLelland: “Luke is one of the nicest young men I’ve ever come across. Always gave 100%.”
Peter Manning: “As a player he has got everything out of himself and personifies what the South Morang Football Club is all about.”
Stuart Fraser: “I played over 100 games with Luke and always got the football lace out. Also as a youngster he used to follow me around from end to end without being able to see over the fence. Some things never change.”
