CHFL: Bones to play 200th game

By TIM O'CONNOR

May 3, 2012, 3:03 p.m.

Aaron Bones is set to play his 150th game for Beaufort.

PREMIERSHIP glory is the burning ambition that keeps Aaron Bones ticking each and every week.

The Beaufort veteran, who will tomorrow play his 200th senior game for the Central Highlands Football League club, says a flag would be the perfect way to cap off a long career.

“As long as we keep improving, I’ll keep trying to get a kick. If we won a flag, I’d finish tomorrow,” Bones said.

“We’ve been building for the last three or four years and we are slowly improving as the years go on. We’ve recruited a couple of quality players to the club this year, and if we get everyone on the park, and fit and firing we’re going to be thereabouts.”

Senior grand finals haven’t been kind to the 32-year-old midfield/forward, who played in defeats in 1999 and 2002 with the Crows and then in 2006 during the first of two years with Ballarat league club East Point.

Despite the ultimate success eluding him, Bones has enjoyed a glittering career.

His 199 games have returned three club best-and-fairest awards, as well as a league runner-up trophy in 2009. He also played more than 100 matches as a junior with the club, where he won an under-14 flag and two best-and-fairests.

Playing in the CHFL is a passion for Bones, who has been named in the initial squad of 50 for this year’s return to interleague. However, he has a dilemma on his hands.

“I’m in the squad, but my wife is due the day after interleague so I’m still not 100 per cent sure, that’s if I make the team,” Bones said.

“I’m keen as anything to play. I’m passionate about the league and I’d love to play, but I’m not sure what I should do. I’ll have to wait closer to the day.

“If there’s any sort of risk to it I won’t go.”