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Games record for the Great Man Spud

The Mighty Spud breaks the Valley games record Spud268thTeam 440pix

One of Moonee Valley’s favorite sons, Darren ‘Spud’ Nagle has added another Club record to his record 13 years as president – our ‘most games’ mark.
Saturday, January 10 was Darren’s 268^th Moonee Valley game, and meant that he broke the stranglehold on on-field records by Ian Denny.
While Ian is still streets ahead in most runs and wickets for the Club, his 267 games mark has now been relinquished to Spud.
But there are no hard feelings – Ian was at selection night after training on the Thursday to hear Spud’s name read out in the Seconds and to congratulate him on the achievement.
But it might still be a case of the duel between Shane Warne and Murali over the world wicket-taking mark, as even though he’s a non-regular player Ian has not yet hung up the whites.
On Thursday night Ian would not rule out taking to the field again this season, so he may yet go head to head with Darren as they push the ‘most games’ record towards 300.

Shown here is the team that beat Jacana to mark Darren's 268th game: L-R: Back - Matt Thomas,
Josh Maginness, Evan Blythe, Kane Harding, Pat Felmingham, Robbie Ball, Nick Launer. Front - 100-game
skipper Daniel Phillips, Darren Nagle, Dean Jukic and Jim Polonidis.

Ian Denny is the ultimate ‘perennial performer’ at Moonee Valley, pulling on the whites on occasion when the SOS goes out to him.
And given that his six games in 2007/08 yielded 535 runs at a Bradmanesque average of 107.0, Ian is in line to get a call from our selectors at any time.
And it’s not likely either than Spud and Egbert will have it all their own way if they decide to go head-to-head in the race to 300 games – another former Club president in Sandro Capocchi is also in the frame on 253 games and showing no signs of slowing down – wonky knee notwithstanding.
But taking the ‘most games’ record – for now – is still a wonderful achievement and recognition of the giant contribution Spud has made to Moonee Valley.
Most of his games have been in the First Eleven, where Spud’s feats – particularly his gargantuan performances in Grand Finals – are the stuff of which legends are made.
His 13-year tenure as Club president is not likely to be beaten, and Darren’s seven premierships are a testament to his longevity. With the Seconds well-placed on the ladder at the moment, it’s not inconceivable that Darren could push his flag tally to eight – and equal the Club record now held by Mick Harvey.
Darren is also seventh on our all-time runs list with 4552 to the end of 2007/08, and third on the wickets tally with 392.
His other contributions to the Moonee Valley Cricket Club are just as important – Darren helped get our juniors off the ground in 1996 and coached the fledgling Under 16s, he has played a key role as Chairman of Selectors and is now helping develop our players of the future as an Under 10s coach.
There’s no end to the Big Fella!
Darren was able to mark his 268th game with a solid win in over Jacana in the Seconds. Having bowled Jacana out for 107, Moonee Valley ran down the total with ease, posting 5/140. Fittingly, Darren hit the winning run as we passed their tally, and was still there at the end on 35 not out.
Spud – well done on your achievement and may lots more success come from your broad shoulders and broad bat!

9/1/09
Spud250thTerry 520pix

Darren (left) is shown on the occasion of his 250th game at the start of
last season, with brother Terry. Tex also had an illustrious career at Moonee Valley.

Spud is shown here (left centre, standing) on his big day with many of the Moonee Valley mates with whom he has played over the years.

January 11, 2009

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