Sport
13 August, 2024
'I didn't think it would happen this year' O'Beirne returns for Saints
Jacob O'Beirne played his 150th club game with "best mate" Sam Clyne.
WFNL
Horsham Saints
Versatile Horsham Saint Jacob O'Beirne played his first WFNL match for the season on August 10.
The 27-year-old has been battling a back injury throughout the year and was thrilled to get out on the ground.
"It's probably something I didn't think would happen this year, but things fell into line, and I thought, why not give it a go," O'Beirne said.
"[It was] good to get back out there, to get amongst it with the boys, and also have a good win in a special day for the club, sponsors day."
After completing contact work at training in recent weeks, O'Beirne started in the forward line and kicked four goals as the Saints defeated Minyip Murtoa by 16 points to keep their finals hopes alive.
[It was] a credit to the way we played, too, which helped me out a lot. I got a few easy ones, So, credit the midfield for those." he said.
O'Beirne's first game of the season was also his 150th for the club, a milestone he shared with his "best mate" Sam Clyne.
"Individually [the day] was pretty good; I've played all my footy here," he said.
"It's good to have a little bit of a special day, but to do it with your best mate is great.
"He started the year before, but after that, we would have played 140 games together."
Saints senior coach Ben Knott credited O'Beirne and returning captain Angus Martin's impact on the playing group.
"Just to get quality players and quality leaders back in, it's an advantage [particularly with Pat Knott and Nathan Koenig out]," Knott said.
For the boys to rise to the occasion, it's a great effort on behalf of them, too."
On the field, Knott thought O'Beirne gave his side an added dimension forward of the football.
"He just looked like something was always going to happen when he was there," he said.
"Everyone knows him as a dogged backman or onballer, but he can go forward and do that."