By Tara Murray
Brenton Hodges started playing at Williamstown before some of his teammates were even born, but still enjoys the challenge on the cricket pitch each week.
The Seagulls games record holder on Saturday became the first player in the club’s 173 year history to play 300 first XI games.
He became just the 14th player in Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association history to reach the milestone.
“It was a pretty special day and occasion,” he said. “It was disappointing to lose the game though.
“You don’t set out to play 300 games and you don’t think that anyone will play for that long of a time.”
Hodges started playing cricket at Wyndham Vale as a junior before moving to Williamstown in under-16s.
He spent two years at Geelong in Victorian Premier Cricket and has also had four stints out of the game for various reasons.
Hodges said this stint has been the most enjoyable of his career.
“I’ve played eight and a half seasons since I’ve come back,” he said. “When I came back I didn’t intend to play for that long.
“My wife joked that I would play for another 10 years. There were a couple of things I wanted to do at the start.
“We won the flag in 2017-18 and one season has rolled into another. Eight, nine years later I’m still here and it’s pretty surreal.
“I’m grateful to be able to play at 46 years old.”
Hodges, who lives in Ocean Grove and travels down each week, said he treasures every game and moment.
He said he’s been lucky enough to have coaches that understand the travel factor, meaning he hasn’t travelled to train that often and do his own work.
Hodges has been captain and coach, a multiple club champion, club games recorder holder, leading wicketkeeper in the club’s history and second for most first XI runs.
Hodges first premiership came in 1999-00 before going back-to-back the following year
The Seagulls then won in 2017-18 with Hodges saying it was his best season in terms of consistency
His fourth premiership came when the Seagulls were awarded the premiership for the 2019-20 season after finishing on top before Covid ended the season.
“Four premierships and quite a few other grand finals,” he said. “We’ve been in a transition phase the last couple of years.
“That has had its challenges but it has been enjoyable.”
The result though on Saturday wasn’t what the Seagulls wanted.
Needing a win to keep in touch with the top six, the Seagulls lost to Ormond.
Ormond batted first and was bowled out for 158 in the 43rd over. Sean Sturrock took three wickets for the Seagulls.
Hodges said after taking 9-50 they had given themselves a good opportunity.
The Seagulls struggled to get going in their innings and were bowled out for 141 in the 41st over.
Hodges, who made 64, was the only batter to score above 12.
The wicketkeeper said that they thought they were still in the game until the fall of the ninth wicket.
The Seagulls sit 12th on the ladder with Hodges saying they hoped they could finish the season off strongly.
As for the future for Hodges?
“For the last three or four years, it’s been about one game at a time, one season at a time,” he said. “I’m still contributing and have blood running through my veins.”
