The Duckworth Dynasty
The Duckworth name, so synonymous with the history of the North Beach Football Club, will add another important chapter to its legacy when Shane Duckworth plays his 150th game on Saturday.
The youngest son of legendary coach Bill Duckworth, who led the club to 10 premierships in a remarkable era, has reached the mark through a variety of games at colts, A-Reserves and Third grade level.
On a momentous day for the club another stalwart, Deon Jacobs, will play his 250th game. Jacobs, a big man with a heart to match, has also played at various levels for the Beach and has been a committed and dedicated club man.
Duckworth will record his significant milestone in Saturday’s fixture with the Hybrid Linings D1-Grade at Charles Riley Reserve, when North Beach hosts University. A tenacious key position player, who carries the Duckworth persona of a young man with a high level of competitive fibre, he is capable of playing at either end of the ground.
Shane Duckworth, like his older brother Michael, has great passion for the club – although, on occasion, that trait can bubble over with enthusiasm and zeal. The younger of the Duckworth brothers has not yet played A-Grade football, but certainly has the attributes to strive for that opportunity.
Michael, who has played a number of senior games, will, with a clear run of injuries, also play his 150th game this year. The consummate team man, who attacks the game with all his heart, has had very little luck in his senior career with a string of serious injuries.
Others might have given up, but that’s not in his nature and all the club will have fingers crossed that he can also join a select group of club stalwarts to celebrate the milestone before season’s end.
– Gary Stocks
