ZAIDA GLIBANOVIC
NETBALL
NORTH GIPPSLAND By ZAIDA GLIBANOVIC GLENGARRY through and through. That’s what Erin Riseley is. Most are pretty sure if she said what colour she would bleed, it would be black and white. The life member, premiership player and best-and-fairest winner has just reached another career milestone, playing 350 club games for Glengarry Football-Netball Club. And if that wasn’t enough, Riseley (nee Wilson) has now been written into the history books as Glengarry’s all-time games record holder. The 42-year-old has played her whole life as a Magpie, having now surpassed the previous games records holder when she played her 350th club game against TTU on Saturday, August 5. Her extensive career accomplishments include four premierships in B grade; 1999-01 and 2008. Learning to win flags from the get-go, Riseley’s under 17’s team won the 1996 premiership, with the young gun being awarded runner-up best-and-fairest for her club and league. Riseley joined Glengarry in 1988 and has continued volunteering, playing and coaching since then. A humble team player at heart, she said she had played “alright” in her 350th game against TTU. The club said they were proud to celebrate this monumental milestone, praising her loyalty. It was a special moment for Glengarry FNC, who posted a touching video montage with memories and friends and family, congratulating Riseley in celebration of her incredible achievement. “This time, it was a bit overwhelming actually because the club did a video and put it up on the Glengarry Football-Netball Club Facebook page on Friday night,” the 350-gamer said. Surprised at the fanfare, Riseley never imagined she would receive such a big acknowledgement. “It was lovely and nice – really sweet – a bit more than I could ever have expected.” The ring defender actually started playing shooter at seven-years-old for Glengarry, but earned her stripes defending inside the ring. With such a long career comes many career highlights for Riseley. “I played B Grade out of 17s and we lost the Grand Final that year; we came runners-up, and then we actually won the next three in a row, so I’ve got a hat-trick of B Grade Grand Finals,” she said. “When we won my third B Grade, we actually had won A, B and C for the club, and there was no D Grade back then, so it was like a clean sweep for the netball club. It was really exciting.” Though her 350th celebrations weren’t as wild as her previous premierships, Riseley had a great time having drinks with friends and family. The epitome of longevity, Riseley has had to play a bit smarter, not harder. “I’m a lot of game smarts now and less fitness,” Riseley laughed. “Your knowledge of the game changes. When you’re young, you’re young and fit, and you do a lot more running,” she said. “Now it’s more of a pressure game like I don’t get a lot of intercepts, but I put a lot of pressure on the pass that others make mistakes, and we get those free balls.” As a hardworking defender, Riseley said she idolised Australian legendary goal keeper Liz Ellis. “I used to love watching Liz Ellis. Because I’ve played defence my whole life: I loved watching her go about her business,” she said. Having a bit of Liz Ellis to her game, Riseley just might be Glengarry’s very own version. Despite the long and joyous career, it hasn’t always been smooth sailing for Riseley. “It was easier to play when you’re younger, to play and then get up to seniors, and when your finish high school, you think ‘what’s next, do I even have Saturdays free?’” she said. “I became a nurse – it was always challenging getting Saturdays off when you’re a shift worker.” No longer working shifts, Riseley is committed to spending her Saturdays at the club, never missing training or a game. The 350-gamer loves netball and playing for Glengarry, spending her life doing just that. “It’s been really good, I think Glengarry as a whole has been pretty successful for a very long time, and I think that helps you to stay as well,” she said. Playing her 35th season for Glengarry, Riseley has seen many changes at the club. “I remember when the footy and netball club finally amalgamated … we’ve had people that have sort of looked after the club for a long time leave … but then new people always come up, every time that someone leaves, there always seems to be someone to come up and boost the club up again. “We’re very lucky to have a lot of passionate people around Glengarry.” A team player through and through, Riseley puts her club’s benefit before all else. “I’ve only just recently gone down to C Grade, but I’ve played most of my career in B Grade; I probably played four or five years all up in A Grade,” she said. “If they’ve got young girls that are good, you want them to play the higher grade so I drop down a grade.” Riseley has never had any long stints away from the club, as she even coached A Grade while pregnant with her first child. Her loyalty is unquestioned, having been a Glengarry girl all her life. “I’m not changing clubs. I’d retire before I’d change clubs,” she said. “I lived there from pretty much when I was six months old until I was 23 when I moved out. “You grow up in the community. My dad played footy, my sister played netball, my brother played football, and every sport you play is for Glengarry; it’s the community feel. “When I moved out of there, I could not imagine playing for anyone else – all my friends are there.” Riseley won’t look to hang up the shoes soon. “I’ve always said for so many years that I’m only one good injury away from retirement; there have been no injuries,” she said. “In my mind, my oldest son has two more years of junior football at Southside, so a little part of me hopes he might go join thirds over at Glengarry so I can be a footy mum and play.” Expect to see Glengarry’s C Grade captain around the club for many more years to come.
