At 73 years young, Palmerston veteran Dennis Bree has ticked off almost every rugby milestone in the book.
Titles and premierships? Check. Club, state, national board roles? Practically all of them. Honours? The A-Grade men’s trophy bears his name.
Just two weeks ago, he was packing down in the front row for Palmerston Crocs in an A-Grade clash with ladder-leaders University.
“I was on a high for a few days after that one,” Dennis told rugby.com.au.
“We’ve had so many injuries up front so it was pretty much a B-Grade front row. We got a touch up but I gave it a go, still contested scrums.”
The one achievement he’s yet to bank across more than 1000 games of Territory rugby is sharing the field with his grandchildren – and that too is set to pass this weekend.
This Saturday, Dennis will run out onto Moulden Oval beside grandson Hamish, 17, when Palmerston and South Darwin contest the annual “Slugger Cup” in honour of Adrian Slugger Graham.
“He plays for Palmerston U17s but he’s getting dispensation to play the seniors this weekend. It was hard to believe it could happen but as the date’s got closer it’s become real,” Dennis said.
“He’s pretty good, did well in playing Brisbane when he was down there for school. He usually plays across centre or fullback.
“Hamish’s dad played a couple of years, he was never a rugby player but when he started going out with my daughter, he realised it would be diplomatic to play a few games.
“But this is very exciting, it’s a home game for us too so they’ve invited all the oldies to come see us. One of my brothers lives in Brisbane and he’s coming up as well.”
Territory rugby fans are encouraged to get out and support Dennis' milestone game at the Slugger Cup - B-Grade men kick off at 4pm with the women (5:30pm) and A-Grade men (6:30pm) to follow.
The Slugger Cup is a key fixture in the Darwin calendar commemorating the life of Adrian "Slugger" Graham, who sadly passed on February 8 2015.
