Sport

22 August, 2024

'Hard work and a bit of luck' Horsham's McKinnon breaks WFNL games record

Allistair McKinnon played his 439th senior football match on August 17.

By Lucas Holmes

WFNL

Horsham Demons

It may not have quite sunk in, but Horsham Demon Allistair McKinnon can now call himself the Wimmera Football Netball League's most-capped senior footballer.

The 43-year-old played his 439th senior match during round 17 of the 2024 season on Saturday, July 17.

"I haven't had a lot of success in team footy; I've only won one flag. But to get something that is mine is pretty good," McKinnon said.

"It is something to look back on down the track; while you're still playing, it's a bit different; you're still trying to be as good as you can be."

McKinnon played 353 senior matches with Dimboola, 15 interleague contests and 71 with Horsham.

He credited his longevity to "Lots of hard work and a fair bit of luck" but that has meant spending time away from home.

"I've got four kids, so that's obviously a fair [amount of work] my wife has to do all the time," he said.

The midfielder-turned-defender won the 2013 then WFL flag with the Roos before this move to City Oval in 2018.

"The club has been pretty supportive of me, so it was a pretty easy decision to come here," he said.

"I think they're similar people that I'll probably get along with, and as far as culture, it was a pretty easy, seamless fit."

McKinnon played much of his early football with his father, Harvey, in an era where he had to adapt quickly.

"That's something a lot of people don't get to do," he said.

"There certainly were a lot of characters still in football back then, with some of the people I played with who were his age."

Horsham Demon Allistair McKinnon at training on Tuesday, August 20. Picture by Lucas Holmes

McKinnon credited the influence of Dimboola greats Peter Harradine and Peter Frecker, whilst Clancy Bennett pushed him to another level.

"[Bennett] came to the club a couple of years before we won that flag; he certainly was a bit more professional than some of the blokes I'd been training with," he said.

During his time in green and gold, McKinnon recounted some contests with future club mates Scott Batchelor, Stuart Farr and Brad Hartigan.

McKinnon has also coached the Demons' reserves for the last four seasons.

"I don't mind that aspect [coaching]; I try and help people rather than just being a dictator."

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