Elsternwick’s quiet achiever plays his 300th

To suggest that Shane CONVERY is footballing royalty at Elsternwick would be an understatement.

The Convery family have been intrinsically entwined with the Wicks for generations, boasting an astonishing roll-call of service:

• SHANE – 299 games (2 x Best & Fairest runner-up, Captain of 2023 Reserves premiership), Treasurer 2015-23.
• Shane’s Dad MICK – 240 games, Reserves Coach, President 2014-16, 18-19, Vice-President 2020.
• Shane’s Sister STEPH – Founding member of Women’s team (24 games), Vice-President since 2021.
• Shane’s Brother PETER – 100 games
• Shane’s Brother JIMMY – 70 games
• Shane’s Brother DAVE – 28 games (so far) after 145 games for De La Salle
• FAMILY BUSINESS – CLEARVIEW POOLS: long-time club sponsor.

This weekend, at 36 years of age and 18 years after his debut, Shane CONVERY runs out for his 300^th game in the red & black.

“It started with my old man. He lives in Elsternwick and went down for a game. Ended up playing 240-odd,” said Shane. “He had a few kids and retired for a bit. Then my oldest brother Jimmy got invited down to the Wicks. So I decided to join him. That was 2006.”

Shane’s other brothers Peter and Dave would later join the club. Dave still plays, as does Shane’s sister Stephanie, who was one of the founders of Elsternwick’s women’s program.

“My body isn’t as good as it used to be. But the running joke is that I’ve just got the one gear and keep going all day. Mainly in the ruck. I recently started wearing shin guards, but I’ve really only had a couple of rolled ankles over the years,” he said.

Shane has also held some major off-field roles, often through challenging times.

“I’ve always been a ‘just a get the job done’ type player on the field. And similar in the admin roles, really – if you do it well, people don’t notice.”

But people DO notice.

“Shane may be a man of few words, hence the nickname Rowdy, but when he speaks people listen,” said Club President, Jarrad Nas.

“He’s just so well respected on the field AND off the field by past and present players alike; as you can imagine he’s impacted so many people over the 20-odd years he’s been at the club.

I would definitely describe him as one of those old-fashioned hard workers – goes about his business, gets the job done and doesn’t make a fuss about it.

I know the number says 300 but it doesn’t include the countless times Shane would have had to double up in Ressies and seniors.”

The club has changed significantly across Shane’s 18 years.

“From the time I started to where it is now – it’s completely different,” said Shane.

We used to have an old shed as the changerooms and a dodgy training ground with 2 lights. It took quite a while for that to change, but from then ‘til now is a pretty good effort for an inner-city club not affiliated with a school.”

It’s a community that’s not just about football. Sure, footy is our main focus. But there are so many different demographics in our area. So many people move in & out. But that difference in people and their backgrounds is what makes it great. Heaps of new faces roll in every year. Many have never played before. There’s never any rejection – come on in. It’s a big part of what has made it great.”

The shining highlight of Shane’s playing career came in Season 17 when he lifted the cup as captain of the Reserves premiership, in a year when the Seniors also won the flag.

“It was good to win a premiership,” said Shane, in a typically understated fashion. “I’ve only had one other chance. After we won, it took a long time to feel real, to be honest.”

“He’s played through some of the toughest times at the Wickers and we’re so glad he’s still getting to play in these brighter times,” said Nas.

“Holding up the cup as captain last year is a reflection of all his hard yards. Personally, he is someone I often pull aside (I am sure others do too) for advice on Wicks affairs, and I can say that without Shane and Mick Convery, the Wicks may not have made it through those tough years.”

“It’s great to play 300. I don’t know what I’d be doing every weekend if I wasn’t playing footy,” said Shane.

Life is about to show him, given he became a father for the first time six weeks ago with the arrival of daughter, Matilda.

Her first game will coincide with her Dad’s 300^th and she’ll be surrounded by plenty of other family members & friends sharing the joy of a special journey that they’ve all played their part in.

Watch Shane’s 300^th game LIVE this Saturday on VAFA.com.au as we celebrate his achievement with a DOUBLE-HEADER LIVE STREAM of Elsternwick vs South Melbourne Districts from 11.35am.