Nathalia's Brodie Ross leaps into action against Cobram's Jackson Trengove.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
From debuting among idols in a decorated Nathalia premiership era to becoming one of the greats of its next, Murray League legend Brodie Ross is set to add another feather to a cap that could just about take flight of its own accord.
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The Purples ruckman will become only the third player in the club’s proud 138-year history to play 300 senior games when he runs out against Cobram at Nathalia this Saturday.
The talented teen made his debut in 2007 against Finley amid the Purples’ Murray league four-peat, but few could have imagined the career that would blossom after then-coach Marc Quarrell approached the promising youngster.
“I remember Marc Quarrell coming out and seeing me,” Ross reflected ahead of the milestone game.
“I think someone must have pulled out of the game, and he came and saw me personally.
“In a small town growing up with a family that played at the club, it was pretty special for me to actually get a senior call up.
“You probably take it for granted when you're growing up as a kid, but that’s where all your idols are - playing senior footy.
“It’s been a long time and a lot of weekends playing footy. Not too many people have done it (play 300 senior games), so to be in that group is obviously pretty special.”
In local footy, Ross’s resume is nigh on unparalleled.
The burgeoning star played in the first of six premierships in 2012 before becoming a vital cog in Nathalia’s famed era of five premierships in a row between 2015 and 2019.
His 2016 heroics were particularly memorable for his Player of the Finals gong and booting the grand final-winning goal in the 25th minute of the final quarter against Finley, sealing a second consecutive three-point win in the last game of the season.
Brodie Ross (right) shows off the 2016 MFL premiership cup and his Player of the Series accolade.
A leading spearhead of that era, Ross is a four-time club leading goalkicker and three-time club best-and-fairest, taking out the Les Mogg league goal-kicking in 2018.
Then, a post-COVID reinvention took the towering Purples’ game to new heights.
A move into the ruck after so long impressing at centre-half-forward proved a winner, netting him the Murray league’s highest individual playing honour – the O’Dwyer Medal.
He tied Tonny’s Nick Jamieson with 25 votes in 2022, though Ross also scooped the league MVP, and he has also represented the MFL in five interleague clashes.
But for Ross, his latest milestone at the ‘unique’ club he’s played at since 2000 will prove particularly special, a 26-year association broken up only by a season in the Goulburn Valley League for Shepparton United and a smattering of games in the Top End.
“(Nathalia’s) a bit more unique; it’s kind of off on its own a little bit,” Ross said.
“There’s a community mindset around it which is important. As a kid growing up, just being around (the club) was where you wanted to be.
“On the Ross side, my grandfather played for Nathalia, my Dad played for Nathalia.
“My grandmother, I think she has some something like 30 premierships through her grandchildren at Nathalia.”
Nearing a two-decade career in the senior ranks, Ross continues to dominate.
Nathalia will play finals yet again, fourth on the ladder with a 12-5 record.
The man of the moment has been in fine fettle, named in his team’s best in 11 of his 17 games.
And when it comes to the Purples, never say never.
“Obviously there’s a bit of competition against Congupna and Cobram, and then Mulwala, Tonny and Numurkah who we’ve beaten and lost one to each this year,” Ross said.
“It’s a pretty even top six, but we’ll see how we go.”
The first bounce between Nathalia and Cobram at Nathalia Reserve will take place at 2pm.
