‘Triff’ notches 250 games

Triffitt (centre) with teammate Jake Sultana (left) who celebrated his 100 game milestone in the same game.

 

CHRISTIAN Triffitt has become the third ever player to play 250 games for the Penrith Rams. He reached the milestone after running out for the Rams Division 3 AFL Sydney side against Holroyd-Parramatta last weekend.

Triffitt, known to his teammates as “Triff”, first played AFL for St. Clair back in 2001. He and his brother Eden joined the team and even played a Grand Final in their first season.

After St. Clair merged with the Penrith Rams in 2003, Triff won the Penrith-St Clair Team Player Award in 2003, and the Best & Fairest award in 2004.

Injury limited his involvement for a few seasons, but in 2010 he returned to strength in the Reserves. He won the Best and Fairest that year and captained the team to a Grand Final win in 2012.

That win remains one of his most cherished memories.

“I think it’s the camaraderie of the experience,” says Triff.

“That year we were really close-knit; we weren’t the best football team but we were really close”.

Despite making a name for himself on the wing, Triff has moved to defence to help prolong his career.

“It’s a hard one down there. The midfielders get all the glory.

“I liked the freedom on the wings, you get the ball more. Down the back is more of a challenge”.

With over 16 years of football to his name, he still has the fitness to match it with the best of them in the Division 3 competition.

“I used to get up for Tuesday training’s, and now the body is still aching by Thursday!”

As a result, he has been beginning to spend a bit more time up the ground.

“I’ve started playing forwards a little bit this year.

“[I] haven’t had a shot at goal for about two or three years. I had a shot on the weekend and missed!”

Triffitt’s most respected trait is his efforts off the field. He is a keen photographer who, when he isn’t playing, is taking photos of other Rams games. Additionally, in 2014 he won the Penrith Rams Club Person of the Year, awarded with Life Membership for the honour.

When asked what makes the Club so special, Triffitt points straight to the committee members.

“Greg Corless has been around for years and years. He is a big part of it, he is doing everything and I don’t think he is getting a day off. [He is] always out making Penrith a better club.”

Triffitt has also been impressed with the emergence of women’s football at the Rams, but he isn’t surprised.

“The girls bring a lot of enthusiasm to the football.

“They are really passionate. Some of the girls have been following for years and years, and have finally gotten a chance to play.”

Triffitt and his Rams went down to the Holroyd-Parramatta Goannas in his milestone match by a last-gasp goal, but Triff is already looking towards the next milestone.

“It’s always tough to take a loss like that, especially in the last minute.

“My next goal will probably be [game] 251 and we will see from there. If my body and form holds up, 300 isn’t out of the question.”