IT'S a season of milestones for Golden Square's Lia Marrone, with the first of two arriving against Sandhurst on Saturday night.
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The veteran mid-courter will celebrate her 200th club game when she lines up for the Bulldogs' A-reserve team that she captains against the Dragons at Golden Square.
Another milestone will follow in a month's time, when the 2015 A-grade premiership coach plays her 300th BFNL league game.
Marrone was unaware Saturday's milestone was approaching, but admitted it was "quite a buzz".
"We have always had very strong sides, so to be able to say that I have been a part of it feels like a pretty big achievement," she said.
Marrone joined the Bulldogs after 96 games with rivals Kangaroo Flat between 1996-2002
The triumphs have flowed steadily ever since, highlighted by A-grade premierships in 2008, '11 and '15, the latter as playing coach.
Marrone, affectionately known to teammates a 'Mash', was also a key part of the Bulldogs' A-reserve premiership triumph last season.
She has had two stints as A-grade coach, including 2009-10 and 2013-16.
Deciding that the club needed a fresh approach, Marrone this season relinquished the coaching reins to her 2015 premiership teammate Allira Holmes.
The multiple club best and fairest winner said she had been impressed by the A-grade squad Holmes had assembled, but was also relishing her change in role.
"It is so great to just play this season and not stress about the various pressures of the coaching role," she said.
"It has allowed me to just have fun with it again as opposed to splitting my focus and juggling hats.
"However this old body can’t do want it used which can be a bit frustrating."
Like most people who have spent considerable years at the one sporting club, an undeniable feature of Marrone's time at the Square has been the many and enduring friendships she has made.
"I have had so many great times at the club and met some really great people," she said.
"I could go on forever listing the amazing people I have had the chance to hang out with over the years.
"There are certainly some cherished friendships to come out of it."
Marrone's pre-Golden Square career included best and fairest wins with Kangaroo Flat and a pair of grand final victories with Heathcote District league club White Hills.
Her earliest netball was played at the former Gravel Hill Primary School in 1988.
As a teenager she was a regular member of Strathdale association representative sides and also played for North Central at 17-and-under level.
Marrone's milestone will be made that bit more special, with the Bulldogs set to play under their new lights at Wade Street for the first time.
