Finally, Wayne’s 200

Andrew Mathieson
IT WAS the war that sapped the final playing days out of Wayne Closter.
Stuck on 191 games for his beloved Cats, Wayne could only manage three more in the reserves in 1976 after returning from service in Vietnam. He knew, even at 31, it was time to call it quits even though the 200-game milestone was just a tantalising six matches away.
“I sort of knew at the end of 1975 that the end was coming pretty soon and because I was so close to the 200 mark I thought I’d have to give it a go,” Wayne confesses.
“I did the pre-season and played those three matches but realised that the game was way past me.”
Never was Wayne more desperate to reach the 200-game mark and its life membership with entry to all league matches. But three decades on, he’s finally realised the dream.
The AFL has announced Wayne will be inducted into its 200 Club.
The Highton resident will join Geelong’s 96-year-old Joe Selwood – the game’s oldest player alive – and Essendon’s Jack Jones, now 82, as this year’s inductees.
They were awarded the honour retrospectively on Wednesday night as a result of their war service.
Close friend and former teammate Peter Walker delivered the good news to 62-year-old Wayne last week.
After Wayne’s retirement, footy legend Ted Whitten fought for the former Geelong onballer to be recognised as a 200-gamer.
“I think it’s a great gesture,” Wayne says.
“To recognise those players that got so close and were away overseas on active service, I think it’s great. I’ve been waiting for something like this for a long time.”
Wayne joined Geelong in 1963, playing in the Cats’ reserves premiership side the same year.
He played his first senior game in the opening round of 1964 but was called up for national service the next season and his career was put on hold for three years.
In 1968, Wayne joined the army and continued playing on weekends while on leave pass.
The following year he fought – and played footy – in Vietnam.
“We played on soccer grounds and it was only 14 men a side, as there was no half forward or half back flankers,” he recalls.
“It was short season at the end of the wet season because it was so bloody hot and humid.”