Loyal Bull charges to club-record 290th

Mark Cherubino created history at Sir Stewart Bovell Park in round 18 against Busselton, when he played his 290th league game for the Harvey Bulls.

In doing so, the charismatic 35-year-old broke Nathan Scott’s club record, which is fitting considering his unwavering loyalty to both the club and town.

“I’ve never played anywhere else,” he said.

“It does mean a lot to me because it shows a bit of loyalty really and I suppose these days it isn’t around that much.

“I’ve always wanted to play for the Bulls and I never want to play anywhere else. It’s taken me 19 years and I haven’t missed much footy, so the achievement means a lot me.”

Cherubino went to Harvey Senior High School, before completing an auto electrician apprenticeship after Year 10.

Making his league debut in 2000, Cherubino’s passion for the Bulls formed instantly, with the club enjoying several memorable years in the Peel Football League.

“I just love the camaraderie with the boys really,” he said.

“They were the glory days mate. We won back-to-back premierships in 2004-05 when I was around 20 years old.

“I thought we were going to win premierships every year.

“Now I think the standard across the Peel and South West leagues are similar, but when we first went over, I thought that the Peel Football League would’ve been a bit more contested and the South West would be a bit more open spaces and faster.”

After playing 115 games in the Peel Football League, Cherubino joined his club back in the SWFL, with the Bulls again coming close on several occasions in a bid to reach the dizzying heights of a premiership victory.

“Out of the three years which we made the preliminary final, we probably should have won at least one grand final, but I guess it wasn’t meant to be,” he said.

“We did have some good players and a really good side but it didn’t work out.”

It’s been a year to forget for the Bulls, with a series of challenging events on and off the field testing every ounce of their patience.

But Cherubino believes the tide will turn again and is keen to keep playing football for as long as his body allows.

“We’ve definitely got some good youth coming through,” he said.

“I think in two to three years we are going to be very good. Obviously because they are so young, it’s going to take time.

“But don’t get me wrong, they have a crack, so I think there’s very promising signs. The club is doing all they can to get us back on track.”

In a somewhat fitting moment, Cherubino kicked the Bulls’ final goal of the match against the Magpies.