By LUKE SCHUYLER
One of Horsham’s most decorated footballers Scott Batchelor will celebrate another significant milestone this weekend when he plays his 400th senior game.
And to add to the celebrations, he will play his 250th Wimmera League game for Horsham, after 150 games with Homers and Kalkee in Horsham District League.
Batchelor said he was in his 25th year of senior football and even he was surprised to reach such a rare milestone.
“I started out as a 15-year-old playing with Homers and in that time have also played with Horsham and Kalkee,” he said.
“You don’t sort of take too much notice of the games you play but it’s certainly something I’ll look back on fondly.”
In what can only be described as a ‘dream’ career, Batchelor has enjoyed grand final success on 10 occassions, including the past six with the mighty Demons.
“I’ve played in 13 grand finals and won 10 of them,” he said.
“I’ve played the last six with Horsham and won one back in 1990.
“Winning premierships is what football is all about and I’ve been very lucky over the years,” he said.
It has not all been rosy for Batchelor however, with many years interrupted by serious injuries.
“I’ve had my fair share of injuries, that’s for sure,” he said.
“I’ve had three reconstructions. One on my shoulder, my ankle and finger, as well as four arthroscopies and a range of other injuries.
“So it hasn’t all been easy.”
Batchelor has also achieved Wimmera League’s highest individual honour, winning the Toohey Medal back in 2004.
Horsham coach Stuart Farr could not praise his nuggety onballer enough, saying he was the ultimate professional and a delight to coach.
“He’s a fantastic coach in his own right and he’s helped me a lot in my development,” Farr said.
“You just can’t say enough good things about Scott. He’s a great role model for the younger guys, a real club legend.
“No one trains or works harder and he’s not all just about his own game. The amount of time and effort he puts into helping develop the kids is fantastic.
“Not only that, I think he’d probably be the best rover we’ve had in the Wimmera over the past couple of decades.”