The 200-game Tonner you hear before you see

Mike Karayannis is Old Brighton through and through.

“I went to Brighton Grammar from Year 7 and then came straight to Old Brighton,” Mike recalls fondly.

“I played a senior game while I was at school and then in the Under 19 Grand Final of 2010. I’m Brighton or Die. I went down there and haven’t looked back.”

The dynamic goalsneak recently played his 200^th game, giving him cause to reflect on his storied 15-year VAFA career.

“It was a really special week. So humbling and a little overwhelming. To see people I’ve played with, even for a year or two, send me a message or give me a call. I got pretty emotional before & after the game.

“The club made a video and it was great to hear I’ve had such a positive impact on people. I always try to bring energy and positivity – I hope it’s contagious.

“I had family there and they may not have understood what the club means to me & what I mean to the club, so it was great for them to see that. We had an amazing win and I probably played my best game of the year, so I was ecstatic with that. Credit to the guys – they made me feel so positive.

The ups and downs of Mike’s journey have shaped his perspective on the achievement.

“In retrospect, I played with Lee Hendra in his 200^th game in 2013 and I didn’t quite grasp its significance. Youngsters don’t realise how hard it is to get to 200. I did an ACL at 20. Then at 25-26, I was a few kilos too heavy and had soft tissue injuries – quads and hamstrings. I ran more during COVID and got fitter. It’s extended my career and I’ve had a pretty clean bill of health since.

“It’s so hard to commit to footy 100% – things happen in life that drag you away. I’d become a veteran of the club by the time I was 23 or 24 years old.

Now 32 years of age, Karayannis still has the passion and energy of a youngster.

“I was lucky enough to play Seniors with him fresh out of that Under 19 season when they won the premiership,” recalls current Old Brighton senior coach, Marcel Bruin.

“We shared a B-Grade premiership against Old Trinity in 2013, which was our first senior flag since the late ‘90s. He was a catalyst for a number of wins across that season, kicking a lot of goals.”

“I’d just come back from the ACL and was one of the younger guys,” said Mike. “It was a much older team and a really special year. Such a good group. The celebrations were amazing!”

“He’s one of the more talented small forwards I’ve seen at VAFA level,” says Bruin. “I’m sure opposition coaches plan for his talent every week because, like all good forwards, he needs very little space to hurt you – best illustrated by 5 first-half goals in the 2013 Prelim that got us over the line.”

But Karayannis’ impact on the club he loves extends far beyond his on-field contributions.

“He’s an absolute professional,” said Bruin. “A pleasure to coach and one that makes your life easier. He generates a ridiculous amount of energy, best summed up by one of the past players in the tribute video – ‘The man you hear before you see him!’

“One of the most impressive things Mike has been able to do across the two decades is help create the amazing culture we continue to build on. It’s the amazing person he is, the generosity of his time and energy he provides to everyone else and the fact that he is determined to make everyone else around him feel good.”

“Taking nothing away from when I first came down – it was a different time – I feel that our club now, especially with our Women’s program, is so inclusive and connected,” says Mike.

“We do the whole pre-season camp with everyone. The Ones & Twos train together. Thirds and Fourths together. It doesn’t matter how old or young you are, we’ve come a long way in accepting people for who they are. I think it helps us on game day as an entire club.”

“Footy can be a slog at times, particularly when you’re not winning,” admits Bruin. “Brighton Beach Oval can be a miserable place with the inclement weather through June, July and August. So you need positive and enthusiastic people that help keep you involved and Mikey has always been the one to try and lift everyone.”

“I still love it mate,” smiles Karayannis. “Even training. I look forward to it every week. Getting out, making a fool of myself, catching up with the boys, working hard and getting together.

“The two premierships in 2013 and 2017 are easy to remember but I also cherish the friendships from our down years when we struggled. Culture and mateship doesn’t always correlate with results and winning.

“Footy’s been my life for a very long time. Special bonds with special people – the volunteers, the family connections. Clubs are built on good people. Good people drive good things and good culture. We’ve come on in leaps and bounds. Old Brighton is a place people want to come to.”