ST ARNAUD’S Daniel Needs wrote his name into the North Central League history books on Saturday by becoming the competition’s new all-time leading goalkicker.
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With his two goals in a heavy defeat to Birchip-Watchem, Needs took his senior career tally to 813 with the Saints, surpassing the previous benchmark of 811 by Wedderburn spearhead Alan Jackson.
“I didn’t know I was a chance until a couple of weeks ago, so it’s good to get it over with,” said Needs, who made his senior debut with the Saints in 1996.
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Needs, 38, kicked his record-breaking goal midway through the last quarter when he grabbed the ball out of the ruck and snapped truly.
“I usually like to have a go at doing that, but sometimes get caught… I wasn’t up against their recognised ruckman, so I thought I’d take the opportunity,” Needs said.
Once the ball sailed through the big sticks for the 812th time in his Saints’ career all of his team-mates got around Needs to celebrate the milestone.
Needs has played the past three games in the seniors for the Saints, but is now keen to return to the reserves where he had intended on playing all season.
“At the start of the year I wasn’t expecting to play seniors, but we’re a bit short on numbers and not real tall either,” Needs said.
The Saints – whose entire team of 21 were all one-point players – suffered a 90-point loss to the Bulls, who have completed a full set of wins against all their rivals.
With Stephen Paulke booting nine goals the unbeaten Bulls won 20.15 (135) to 7.3 (45) – the fourth game in a row they have kept their opposition to a score under 50.
In other round seven games, Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers edged out Charlton 7.13 (55) to 7.10 (52) after overcoming a 20-point half-time deficit; Donald beat bottom side Boort by 78 points; and Wycheproof-Narraport at home defeated Wedderburn for the ninth time in a row by 40 points.
