LOYALTY is an underrated attribute in country footballers.
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Unlike some of his modern day counterparts, Daniel Whitfield has it in spades.
The 29-year-old will play his 300th club game for his beloved Superoos on Saturday when Mitiamo hosts Marong.
Whitfield played his first game for the Superoos’ under-17s as a nine-year-old and has loved the club since.
“I’m a born and bred Mitiamo boy and my older brother was playing for the club , so I just followed him along,’’ Whitfield said.
“I’ve never wanted to leave the club. There’s not that many locals playing at the club these days and I like to support my local club.
“It’s a really tight community up there and the footy club is really family orientated, which I like.”
Whitfield played 100 under-17 games for the Superoos with his remaining 199 games made up of reserves and senior matches.
“In the reserves I largely play as a midfielder or a backman, while in the seniors I’ve played midfield, forward and back,’’ Whitfield said.
The utility has played five senior games this season, including the past three.
Two of his present day senior team-mates make the list the top three Mitiamo players he’s played with.
“Scott Lawry would probably be one of them. He was consistent and very resilient,’’ Whitfield said.
“At the moment, Doug Thomas and Tyson Sidebottom are as good as any players I’ve seen at the club.”
Whitfield’s greatest memory at Mitiamo is his only premiership with the club – the 2012 reserves.
“I’ve played in six grand finals for one win and five losses,’’ he said.
“It would have been nice to win a few more grand finals along the way.”
That elusive second flag could come this year, with the Superoos best placed to tackle Bridgewater in the senior grand final.
“I think we have the players to push Bridgewater,’’ Whitfield said. “On our day I think we can beat them.”