Recording breaking Lion

Decorated Royals footballer Mitch Curnow will add another accolade to his name this weekend, as he breaks the previous league games record held by stalwart Robin Waugh when he takes to the field against Albany on Sunday.

A dual Lions premiership player, Curnow equalled Waugh’s record of 236 games in last week’s win over Mt Barker and will now make his 237th league appearance for the club he loves 16 years after making his senior debut.

Since records have been kept only four Lions players have surpassed 200 league games, club legends Waugh (236 games) and Gavin Morgan (208) along with current duo Curnow and Ryan Kinnear (217). The Lions celebrated their 75th anniversary last weekend and Waugh, who won six premierships, said the timing was perfect for his mark to beaten.

“Records are meant to be broken, I think it’s great,” Waugh said.

“I knew his mum and dad very well and they’ve done a lot for the club.

“A lot of good footballers get to 150-160 games but this is a wonderful achievement. I retired 36 years ago so it’s about time it was broken.

“Mitch is a great role model and I congratulate him.”

Curnow made his league debut in 2004 and is humbled by the prospect of becoming the league games record holder at his club.

“When you start you think aiming for 150 games, yeah I can maybe do that,” he said.

“But you never think something like this will come along.

“It feels pretty good to be honest.

“Simply surpassing Robin Waugh in games is pretty surreal because there is those revered legends of the club you look up to and he’s one of them.”

The evergreen 32-year-old will share the momentous day with Dave Parker, who plays his 150th league game on Sunday after sharing 200th game with close mate Rhys Jones after he reached the 150-game milestone in the same game.

“A lot of guys like Dave I’ve played a lot of footy with so it will be nice to share the moment,” he said.

“I’ve been lucky with injuries and I don’t miss many trainings.

“It takes a lot of luck to get to any amount of games but it definitely does mean a lot.”

The Lions face the Sharks at Centennial Stadium as they chase a ninth straight win.

In other round 12 fixtures, the Bulls host Railways at Sounness Park on Saturday before North Albany and Denmark-Walpole square off in a game with huge finals ramifications at Collingwood Park on Sunday.