Fraser Thurlow is set to play his 100th senior game for the Southport Sharks on Saturday, against the GWS Giants, at Tom Wills Oval.
Thurlow has been a stalwart at the Sharks. The Southport Junior’s first senior game for the club was in 2010 against the Western Magpies, at 17 years of age.
He played a further two seasons at the Sharks, before Essendon selected him at Pick 9 of the 2013 AFL Rookie Draft.
The ruckman played four games of VFL for Essendon in his one year at the club before moving to Adelaide to play for Woodville-West Torrens in the SANFL for a season.
In 2016, Thurlow returned to the Southport Sharks, where he has consistently contributed for the last 8 years in the ruck and forward line.
Unfortunately, he did miss the Shark’s 2018 NEAFL Premiership due to international study and work commitments, but he played a significant role in the first eight games before he left for London.
During his time at the club, he represented Queensland at numerous levels, made the NEAFL Team of the Year in 2016, played in two youth premiership teams and the 2010 Reserves Premiership team.
Currently, he is leading the 2023 Frosty Miller Medal (VFL Leading Goal Kicking Award) with 28 goals.
In the lead up to this week’s game Thurlow said, “I am super excited for the game on the weekend, not only to bring up the milestone but it is a massive game in the context of our season.”
“It has been an awesome journey and I am so honoured to be able to play 100 senior games for this great club.”
“I grew up watching the senior football team train and play when I was a young kid, so I am super proud to firstly play senior football here, but now to play 100 games.”
Southport Coach Steve Daniel said, “It is a fantastic effort to come through the ranks from juniors to seniors and to achieve what he has.”
Southport Co-Captain Mike Manteit echoed Daniel’s sentiments.
Manteit said, “It’s a massive achievement. Fraser has dominated opposition ruckman for a long period of time and I feel privliged to have shared some amazing memories with him.”
Current teammate Tom Fields has known Fraser since they went to preschool together as young kids.
Fields said, “I am looking forward to running out with him on the weekend, as we have been great mates for a long time. To play 100 games at one club at senior level is a terrific achievement. There aren’t too many people that can do that these days.”
You can watch the game live and for free via afl.com.au and the AFL Live App.