Behrens confirmed on Wednesday that after 23 years of playing first XI in the Bendigo District Cricket Association he is retiring.

The 38-year-old left-hander, who spent the bulk of his time at the crease batting at No.3, ends his career as the most decorated batsman in the history of the BDCA.

Behrens – better known as Puggo – holds all the BDCA’s batting records from a career that began as a 15-year-old young gun in 1994-95.

He has scored the most first XI runs in BDCA history with 11,579, the most centuries with 28 and his unbeaten 249 against Huntly-North Bendigo in round two, 2003-04, is the competition’s highest score.

Behrens’ 28 centuries include three double-tons, as well as two in grand final wins in 2003 and 2007.

“I’m wanting to spend some more time with my family, plus the passion to play has probably burned out and isn’t where it should be to commit to another year,” Behrens said.

“I probably got a couple more years extra than what I thought I would have.

“I made my mind up late last season and maybe should have said something then, but with the grand final loss and passing of mum, it was a fairly emotional time, so I’ve had a hard think about it over the past couple of months and come to the conclusion that the time is right.”

According to the records of BDCA historian Darren Rodda, Behrens batted 280 times in the first XI for the Redbacks, with his 11,579 runs coming at an average of 51.01.

As well as 28 tons he made 64 half-centuries, meaning he basically passed 50 once every three innings.

Behrens scored centuries again all opposition clubs except for Strathdale-Maristians, and scored at least one ton for 16-straight season between 1998-99 and 2013-14.

His batting records also extend to Melbourne Country Week, where he is Bendigo’s highest run-scorer with 1637 and captained the drought-breaking 2007 Provincial Group triumph.

Behrens bows out of the game still one of the most sought-after scalps in the competition by opposition bowlers, and while the passion to play may have waned, it didn’t show in his performances last season when he made 550 runs and averaged 50.

“I had a red-hot crack last season, but another part of my decision is I don’t want to be hanging around for another couple of seasons and taking a young player’s spot,” said Behrens, whose 280 games is a club first XI record for Bendigo United.

As for all the individual accolades that have built up through Behrens’ career, he’s proud of them, but it’s the six premiership teams he was part of that are at the top of his highlights.

“If you had said at the start of the journey you’d get to play in 11 grand finals and be successful in six of them, you would have jumped at that,” Behrens said.

“They are obviously the best memories and something I look back on really fondly.”

Behrens is equally as proud to finish as a one-club player, with his entire 23 years of first XI all spent with Bendigo United.

“I’ve always loved the club and playing for it and been fortunate to have played with some great team-mates,” Behrens said.

“And I’m great mates with a lot of people off the field as well. I never had any reason to leave and I’ll still be around the club helping out where I can.”

While Behrens has ended his playing days, the Behrens name won’t be lost to Bendigo United, with his sons, Hugh and Darcy, both playing juniors with the Redbacks.

Not just an elite batsman, Behrens also had one of the safest pairs of hands in the slips cordon – he took 216 catches – while he was always more than happy to talk up the 11 first XI wickets he claimed.

“His batting record speaks for itself and he’s certainly going to be missed on the playing front,” Bendigo United president David Bicknell said.

“He has a long history at the club, as has his family, and I’m sure he’ll still be around around with his boys coming through the juniors.

“He has been loyal to the club and great for the club, and hopefully, the club has been good for him as well.”

Behrens played in premiership teams with the Redbacks in 2000, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2014.

He captained the back-to-back 2007 and 2008 flags.