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Milestones don’t come much sweeter than this for Gunnedah Red Devils reserve grade captain, Ed Howarth, who achieved a feat unlike any other we know.
The breakaway rung in 100 games for his beloved Devils last Saturday having played pretty much all his career on a fake leg.
An accident earlier in his life cost him his leg but not his spirit and his love for the game has fostered many cherish moments.
Among the best of them was the club’s 50 year anniversary match where he played alongside his father Don, and two greats of the club in James Thibault and Jeff Wilson.
“That’s definitely a highlight,” he said.
Although when asked what he remembered of that particular match, his exact recollection was little fuzzy.
“Not much,” Ed replied.
“James concussed me, (he threw) a hospital ball straight to me and it snapped me.”
There was another play in match however he recalled like it was yesterday.
“I remember my father fumbling the ball over the try line as I passed it to him,” he grinned.
“I still give him heaps about it.
“It was a great experience that 50 years game playing with all the legends of the club.”
Family means a lot to Ed, so having his brother Josh playing first grade for the Devils was a motivator even if his try tally needed a little reeling in.
“He’s one of the leading try scorers in the competition, which for a prop is a bit a ball hog,” Ed joked.
“There is always plenty of brotherly rivalry, especially at training when we try and put the shots on each other.”
As for his own game as a loose forward, there isn’t any other position he would rather play.
“I love everything about it really everything,” he said.
“You’re not really having to do all the work that props do but still get to be anywhere from your backline to your forward pack.
“And I always get to sack the five-eight which is a bonus.”
This year the Devils reserve grade is looking to rekindle the premiership glory of old after finishing runners-up in last season.
“That’s the goal (to win the final), and I reckon we can get there,” he said.
“It’s a brand new side this year with Keith Perrett our coach and whole heap of young fellas in the side which is great to watch them turn into the decent rugby players that can take us to the grand final this year.
“We need to work on our set moves and a bit more on our defence but other than that we should be pretty sweet.”
Looking further ahead, his passion for rugby is still as strong as the day he started.
So as long as the leg holds up, he’ll be playing,” Ed said.
“I’ll see how it goes for the next couple of seasons at least,” he said.
“I’m still loving it running around.
“It’s just in me to keep on playing and I really enjoy it.”
The Red Devils are on the road against Inverell this weekend in the last round match before the Central North Rugby Union two-tier competition takes on June 14.
Married to Alex Howarth
Occupation: owner-operator landscaper
Position: Breakaway and no.8
Junior club: Devils' Under-8s to Colts
Seniors: 2008- present
School: St Mary's College, Gunnedah, and Farrer Agriculture College, Tamworth.
Favourite t.v show: Home & Away and Blacklist
