At 63, Mill Park’s Jim Chetcuti could be forgiven for sitting on the sidelines and watching football each weekend.
The games record holder at South Morang continues to rack up the games and the memories.
After starting playing football in his late teens, Chetcuti played the 800th game as Brunswick faced Carrum in the Super Rules competition on Sunday.
“It makes me feel old,” he said before the game. “I played 400 and broke the record at South Morang a couple of times.
“The footy keeps me coming back. I don’t play a lot of juniors. I started late, not until I was in my late teens.
Having grown up playing in the streets with his Collingwood gear, Chetcuti played a lot of basketball growing up.
When a teacher suggested playing football, he looked to join West Lalor before a neighbour suggested he play at Mernda.
He would play 74 games for Mernda in the Panton Hill Football League, before becoming too old of the junior age group.
After a couple of years out of the game, it was the former Fitzroy legend in Kevin Murray that would get Chetcuti back into football and the rest is history.
“Kevin Murray went to coach South Morang, a VFL legend and Brownlow medallist,” he said.
“We went down to check it out and we were behind the goals at the old ground.
“The president said you’re not allowed to watch and you have to sign a green card and that is now it started.”
Chetcuti played 442 games for South Morang, playing into 50s.
Off field, he took on coaching and every other role possible at the club.
Chetcuti now plays in the Super Rules competition. He used to play with Northern Districts and now plays with Coburg in the over-55s.
It’s simple why he keeps playing.
“The mateship,” he said. “We’ve played a lot with each other and against each other.
“It’s not as physical and we have a lot of fun hanging it on each other.
“We then tell each other who good we are looking. It’s also fitness and keep ticking it over.”
Chetcuti said many of his teammates have played 400, 500 or even 600 games.
He said he doesn’t know anyone that has played 800 games but sure there is someone somewhere that has played that many.
“There was a guy recently who played his final game at 78,” he said. “He didn’t play as many games, but I played on him.”
Football is in the genes for the Chetcuti, with Jim’s daughter Tara Chetcuti recently clocking up game 200.
Chetcuti played a big role in setting up the women’s program at South Morang and now helps at Coburg where Tara plays.
“We’ve played 1000 games between us,” Jim said. “We used to kick in the street and she’s played cricket and basketball as well.
“She has followed in my footsteps and wears the same jumper number as me. It’s our thing.”
Chetcuti said captaining a grand final side even though they didn’t win was one of his highlights.
Setting up an over-45s super rules side, which he later coached to a championship, was also a massive memory.
As for how long he will keep going, Chetcuti has put no limit on it.
“Sometimes after a game I think, why am I doing it, if I’ve had a bad game or copped a knock and have to go to work the next day.
“I take it one week at a time and have decided that 800 is not enough. If I keep staying healthy, I’ll keep playing and see whatever happens after that.
“The plan is to play next year. It’s a great bunch of guys and there’s a couple of guys who are older than me.
“Until the body says I can’t keep going, I’ll keep playing.”
