Proud Tiger to play 150th game and earn life membership

Moving to Perth 16 years ago, Albany footballer Beau Maister didn’t imagine he would play one WAFL league game, let alone reach the cherished 150-game milestone for his beloved Claremont Football Club.

Today the former West Coast Eagles and St Kilda big man will receive Claremont life membership when he makes his 150th appearance in Tigers colours as they face Subiaco at Leederville Oval.

The ultimate team man, Maister said he was humbled to reach the 150-game mark and would treasure the moment.

“This means so much to me,” Maister said.

“If you could tell me when I moved up to Perth as a starry-eyed kid that I would end up as a life member of this amazing footy club, I don’t know if you’d believe it.

“It’s a great honour and something I’ll look back fondly on when I do call time on playing.

“It’s an individual accolade which I’m a bit uncomfortable about, and first and foremost, footy is about team success and the challenge that Subiaco presents for us.”

Maister’s wife Rebecca and young daughter Rylee, along with his mum Margaret, who will travel up from Albany, and close friends will be in the stands.

Hailing from Railways in the Great Southern Football League, Maister won the 2011 Simpson Medal as the best on ground in Claremont’s league premiership victory.

The 32-year-old said he had wonderful memories of his years playing WAFL football.

“The pinnacle is always premierships and I was lucky enough to do that in 2011,” he said.

“That is my most valued moment in footy.

“My time in the AFL I value really highly and I love every opportunity I get to represent the Claremont footy club.

“To me you are a long time retired, Darren Harris is 100 per cent transparent with me and gives me honest feedback about my role and I’m really keen and eager to get some team success with the Tigers in the near future.”

Tigers coach Darren Harris praised Maister, who played 44 AFL games, for his contribution to Claremont.

“He’s been a great servant of the footy club, a premiership player and one of our leaders for a long time,” Harris said.