Murray Laing - The Ultimate Clubman

Murray Laing will run out this Friday night in his 100^th game for the Thirds in an extraordinary effort for the Mayne Football Club.

Murray has coached the Mayne Third Grade since the team’s inception in 2015 for every year barring one and played every year as well. This is a club record for a senior coach at the Tigers. It has never been an easy gig with the nature of Friday night footy carrying with it a range of complexities. The team might have a crazy number of registered players making week to week selection a very difficult challenge, but it can also be a frantic Friday ring around to fill the team sheet.

Affectionately known as Muz, it is amazing to think that he has managed this challenge for this length of time. It bears testimony to how much he loves his footy and the Tigers. There will be a very long list of players who will be able to reflect on their time with the Mayne Thirds thanks to Muz. It should also be said that this has been a family affair with his father John along for the ride for entire life of the Third Grade.

While he coached and played in the Thirds inaugural premiership in 2017, his most enjoyable year, he also played in a Reserve Grade Premiership in 2016 and recorded 87 games at that level kicking 21 goals. He also played 2 senior games as part of a comprehensive effort for the Tigers. He is also proudly a former Everton Wolf having played in and coached premierships for his junior club.

He will now be just the third player to record 100 games for the Thirds following Tony Stevens and Chris Azzopardi. It could have been many more for Muz but for his selfless effort to share the opportunities around when he had a bigger than usual list to manage.

Muz has been rewarded with Life Membership and he is also a Member of the Hall of Fame for the Tigers acknowledging his incredible effort for the club.

The Tigers wish Muz all the very best for his 100^th Third Grade game and hopes to see him play many more.

It would be terrific to see a big contingent of past and present Tigers come along to cheer Muz on to the ground for this big milestone on Friday night.

We asked a select few of his closest confidantes who have shared the ups and downs of this long journey to add their thoughts.

Congratulations to Murray on reaching 100 Third grade games for the Mayne Tigers, an amazing achievement to go with a long resume of other accolades.  I was privileged to be there for a lot of those games, which included a premiership, the ultimate glory in football.  What Muzz has achieved on and off the field for the Tigers (and the Wolves in his Junior days) cannot be understated, the ultimate club man and a great bloke.  I feel very blessed to call him a mate and I look forward to being there Friday night (on the right side of the fence these days!!) with a beer in hand to cheer him on.  All the best for the game, hopefully you can bag a few snags to celebrate since your recent move up forward.

Tom Ditchburn

Murray reaching 100 games is an amazing achievement. The sacrifices that Murray has made in his own playing career has meant that he has reached this milestone later than he deserves. The time and effort Murray has put into coaching can not be overstated. He is the reason a lot of the people have had the opportunity to play at Mayne. Most people would not be aware of the sacrifices that he has made for the club as he has stayed humble throughout the whole process. Great clubs are built around people like Murray and his milestone deserves to be celebrated. Well done Muzz!!!

Tony Stevens

Murray and his Dad John have given so much to the Mayne Tigers, so it’s great to celebrate Muzz and what he’s given to this football club this Friday. His legacy will be tied to the thirds team that he has led for 12 years. You might think he would have achieved this milestone sooner, however Murray would often choose to not play to give others a go. This selflessness is part of what makes him a great leader and why he’s loved by all that get to play with him (that and his dance moves). Murray as a player is ever reliable. Quicker than you think and rarely beaten one on one, with an accurate kick. He has held down some great players as a key back and a reliable goal scorer when sneaking forward. I hope all past players get down to the Den to celebrate this milestone and we can get the win for Muzz.

Jake Magill