THE story goes that when big Benny Willis arrived at training in Leongatha at the start of the 2014 season from Thorpdale, he was supposed to be going to Inverloch.
But 199 senior games and four premierships later, as well as a ‘minor premiership’ in one of the COVID years in 2021, Inverloch’s loss has certainly been Leongatha’s gain.
And not just on the footy field.
Willis has also put his hand up to coach the club’s underage teams during that time and taken a leading role off the field around the club as well with a level of commitment that has endeared him to all at Parrot Park.
But it has been on the field where he has set a standard for others to follow, shouldering the heaviest work in the game, in the ruck, and performing week-in week-out to get the ball going the Parrots’ way.
As Leongatha Football Netball Club vice president Alister Fixter said at selection on Thursday night, this Saturday, as well as securing the four points, the day at the Morwell Recreation Reserve against Drouin will be all about making sure Ben Willis enjoys his 200th senior game in the best possible fashion.
“Passing the 200 senior game milestone will also be rewarded with life membership, which will be presented at the end of the season,” said Alister Fixter.
