Brenton ‘George’ Garth joins St Bernard’s 300 club

In St Bernards proud history only four players have managed to play 300 VAFA games. Brenton ‘George’ Garth joins that illustrious group when he lines up for his 300th on Saturday.

A St Bernards Junior, George played in back to back Under 19 Premiership sides in 2002 and 2003 where St Bernards completed a remarkable undefeated season in the U19 Premier Division.

In 2004 George won the Under 19 Premier Best and Fairest and made his senior debut against Old Xavs before playing in the seniors finals campaign.

A tough on-baller, continually taking on the VAFA’s best midfielders, George’s ‘hard at it’ approach earned the respect of team-mates and opponents alike. With overseas travel, Covid and his fair share of injuries along the way it’s taken George a while to chalk up the 300.

In recent seasons, George has been a mainstay of the Ressies, assisting the development of younger players.

Longtime teammate Josh Madden says “George’s, on field courage, leadership qualities and passion for Bernards (along with his Footy Trip organizing skills) have made him one of our great clubmen”

George spoke to VAFA Media earlier in the week ahead of his magical milestone.

VAFA Media: What does it mean to you to reach 300 games at St Bernard’s?

I’ve had a lot of people and reach out and say congrats on the 300 which is outstanding and much appreciated. 

I sometimes find it hard to think of it as an achievement myself because I love playing every week but extremely grateful to be able to chalk it up. It’s an honour and a privilege to be in the company of the other 300 game greats but also just to be part of the club and the wider Bernard’s community.

You really appreciate how special and important it is to you when you see people you care about go through hard times and see the way the Bernard’s community rallies around them for support.

VAFA Media: What’s your proudest memory about the game?

It’s hard to say as there’s plenty of little things that you look back on and you’re proud of that aren’t necessarily big wins, and I’m yet to win a Grand Final myself since U19s…yet.

The closest we got was in 2011 when we were last, staring down relegation to C grade! 

We won 9 on the trot and got back into A grade after sneaking into the top 4 although we lost the GF. That was a proud moment to be part of the team that turned that season around.

Seeing the boys get it done and win the flags in ’02, ’15 and ’18 were proud moments too. 

Good footy trip years!

VAFA Media: Who has been your favourite player to either play with or watch from the club over the years?

It’s been a long time so over the journey I’ve played with some superstars of Bernard’s…Rock (Tom Caven), Merro (Andrew Merrington), Byrnesy (Daniel Byrne), AB (Adam Bentick).

When I first started in the seniors there’s those blokes who made the club special off the field as well as on…Hogi, Lossa, Kav, Blunty, Turtle, Dmac, Clang

You always love playing with your best and oldest mates of course…

Joshy (Josh Madden), Libba (Chris Liberatore), Chick (Brendan Ryan), Munz (Jesse Manunzio), Schrodes (Ryan Schroder), Dawes (Tom Overman), Indo (Joey Indovino).

But it’s also those other blokes you become life long mates with that aren’t necessarily stars in the seniors that you love playing with, those that you have great wins with, go through rough times with, that you know are always going to give you everything.

Too many to name at the mighty Snakepit!

St Bernards 300 Games:

314 Andrew Nathan

304 Ben Hogan

304 Gerard Mahoney

303 Justin Evans

300 George Garth

St Bernard’s will face off against Old Scotch this weekend in Round 5 at St Bernard’s College.