If Matt McKay takes the field on Sunday against the Wellington Phoenix, he will reach the incredible milestone of 250 A-League appearances with the Brisbane Roar.
Several players currently plying their trade in the A-League have hit the 250 mark, few with the same club, however.
Brisbane-born, for McKay, despite a short period overseas, the Roar has always been McKay’s number one club.
“I will be very proud to have the opportunity to do it [play 250 games] at one club,” McKay said on the eve of the match. “I’m a Brisbane boy, I love the city, I love the club.
“I first signed here when I was 21, and I’m 35 now. So it’s a long time to have played at one club [in the A-League – McKay played overseas in between two successful stints with the Roar] but I have loved every minute of it.
“It will be a proud moment, any milestone you are proud of. For me, I’m not really thinking about it, it’s so early on in the season and I guess I’ll be a bit more emotional when it comes to the end of my career, or my last ever game, that’s probably a bit more emotional.
“My parents will be there, I have two boys now as well. So it’ll actually be a great weekend. We’ve actually got all the fans coming out at the end of the game for a ‘whole of club photo’, so all of the fans will be coming out onto the field, so that’s pretty cool.
“I’ve been pretty privileged to have played over 100 games at Suncorp Stadium and I feel more comfortable on the field looking out and I want everyone to experience that.
“It’s always a great feeling to play at your hometown club. I was a massive Brisbane Strikers fan growing up and loved the Strikers and I was a mascot for them and ticket holder and I got to play 51 games for them as well.
“When the Roar came in, it was an easy transition to go straight over to that and when I started there new, I wanted to make an impact and I’m glad I’ve been part of creating a bit of history at the club.”
For such a long career, there has been plenty of stand-out moments for McKay. But one moment rises above any other.
“That Eric Paartalu header [in the 2011 A-League Grand Final],” McKay said. “I didn’t take the corner and I didn’t head the goal, but for me to be a part of that is my favourite moment of my career, by far.”
McKay was, however, wearing the captain’s armband and had played a central role in Brisbane reaching the showpiece event – and guiding Roar to that season’s Championship – and also netted one of the Roar’s penalties in the eventual shoot out.
“To do that in front of 50,000 at Suncorp to do what we did was pretty cool. The whole journey of that season, going unbeaten after around Round 5. Obviously when Ange came in, we really wanted to start afresh that pre-season and we did.
“He created the platform for us to perform and we did, but the whole season was a great feeling when you go out and you have this feeling that you know you are going to win, or have the confidence to win.”
This season, the overall aim doesn’t change for McKay.
“I’d love to win another title. I think that’s the pinnacle for anyone. I was part of two of the Championships at Brisbane and it would be nice to get a third and finish off my career on a high.
“But I just want to contribute. I want to see our young players come through and do well, I want to see the club move forward off the field, on the field, and I just want to see everyone be successful, and anything I can do to help this season, I’ll be doing it.”
McKay served on the Executive and was later elected President at the PFA. He said his involvement with the association had helped him feel supported during his career, while saying it had been rewarding to assist his peers.
“I loved to be part of the Executive and then to serve as President. It was a difficult time when I came in as we were in the midst of a CBA negotiation, but looking up to Simon Colosimo and seeing what a great job he had done, and I love the PFA and how they are helping players.
“I love hearing stories about how the PFA helps players who are in trouble and how they are dealt with, it’s a great organisation. The players are very lucky to have everyone who works there for them and are really dedicated to helping the game grow and helping the players grow.
“Coming toward the end of my career, now I feel like I’m in a great position because of all of the guidance I’ve had from the PFA.
“Not everyone is going to necessarily have as long a career as me, but if they can lean on the support of the PFA, that will help them grow as people, so when they do get out and transition into the ‘real world’, they will be equipped to deal with that.”
