Veteran Mitch Curnow creates more Royals history with 250 game milestone

Triple premiership player Mitch Curnow says he will cherish the moments from his 250th league game after Royals marked the special milestone with a big victory.

Curnow is the first player in the club’s 76-year history to play 250 games after joining the club in 2002 as a colts player.

Last year he broke Lions stalwart Robin Waugh’s games record at the club when he made his 237 appearance before going on to win his third league premiership.

The 33-year-old, who kicked a popular second-term goal, said it was a special day.

“It was just an overriding sense of personal achievement and it’s humbling to reach that amount of games,” Curnow said.

“I didn’t have a win in my 150th and you never know how many more games you have left, so to get a win on the weekend was really special.

“I have played most of career down back and goals are hard to come by, so to kick a goal and all the boys getting around me is a really special memory.

“When you’re younger, you play in a few milestones and getting chaired off (it) is almost embarrassing but when you’re older and know you’re closer to the end, you cherish those moments.

“I want to thank the whole Sharks footy club they showed great respect lining up after the game.”

Lions coach Andrew Ruck said it was a wonderful achievement for his close mate.

“He is not only a great teammate but a great mate as well to everyone at the club,” Ruck said.

“I played colts with him in 2002, so we have been mates forever and I am so proud of him for reaching the milestone.”