Amuch-loved son of the North Gambier Football Club broke a remarkable record on Saturday, taking to the ground for his 409th match.

Tiger Matthew Chapman – known as Chappy – became his club’s leading game player during the round nine Western Border Football League B Grade match against East Gambier.

Chapman has been a mainstay for North Gambier and become a club legend, passing the previously held record of 408 games which had been held by fellow Tiger stalwart Garth Willoughby since 2018.

North Gambier described Chapman as “loved by his peers, respected by his opposition, and admired by the club – he epitomises everything good about North Gambier”.

The significance of the milestone was not lost on Chapman.

“It was a super day, it was really good to have my family and friends there,” he said.

“It was a very special achievement for me, but it’s always about the team.”

Chapman started his milestone game strongly, kicking two first quarter goals including the first of the game to get his side off to a flying start.

The Tigers tried their best but could not give Chappy a win to mark the occasion.

East Gambier got over the line by four points, with the Tigers just falling short of their first win of the season on a special day for the club.

WBFL reports Pages 30 and 31