Lindsay Hits 200

Redcliffe prop Troy Lindsay will become the first player to play 200 Queensland Cup games when he lines up for the Dolphins against Norths at Dolphin Oval on Saturday. Lindsay who made his first grade debut for Redcliffe in 1994 against the Brisbane Broncos at Dolphin Oval has played 243 first grade games and sits second behind Peter Leis 261 games in all time first grade appearances for Redcliffe.

The Dolphins won the 1994 XXXX Cup with Lindsay in the side and returning to Club, the welcome the players got from the fans is still one of Lindsay?s fondest memories. In Lindsay?s time at the club he has played in three BRL first grade grand finals in 1994, 1996 and 1997, six Queensland Cup grand finals 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003 and he would love nothing more than add 2005 to that already impressive list. He thinks the Dolphins best form is yet to come in 2005. ?We can go a lot better, we need to fix our defence up. ?Norths are the form side and if we?re not on our game we?ll get pumped like we did first game of the year and there is no way I?m going to let that happen at home? Lindsay said.

When asked about reaching 200 Queensland Cup games Lindsay said ?I am proud of the achievement, but the result against Norths is more important, we need to win to make sure we get a home semi?. ?The team goals are more important than the individuals? he added. ?It?ll be tough without Starry (Adam Starr Fractured Eye Socket), Greeny (Daniel Green Knee) and Jamie Russo (Sternum), but we beat Wynnum at Kougari without our state players and there is a lot of pride in our in club so I?m sure whoever comes in will aim up? he said ?They have to?.

In a first grade career spanning longer than the Queensland Cup competition itself the 32-year-old Wamuran farmer has no intensions of pulling stumps yet. ?I?ve already signed for next year,?? he said ?I?ll keep going as long as I?m fit and I?m enjoying it.? Lindsay said. ?I love it and I?ll keep going until I can?t go anymore, I think they?ll have to push me out kicking and screaming in a wheel chair? he said laughing.

The game has changed a bit in Lindsay?s career but he has adapted. ?It?s not any tougher just whole lot quicker,? he said. ?We train more now than when I started, we used to train two nights a week now it?s four.? ?As a result players are fitter and stronger now, I can see the day when this comp goes fulltime but it won?t be in my time playing unfortunately.? Lindsay said. ?The traditional clubs will have to go fulltime to stay competitive with the likes of the Broncos (Toowoomba), Storm (Norths) and Cowboys (Young Guns) who are fielding sides with fulltime players but that?s a fair way down the track yet.?

When asked who was older himself or Adam Starr Lindsay replied ?I?m only a pup compared to Starry and look at what Darren and Jason Smith are doing in the NRL, I?ve got plenty of footy left in me yet?. And on his current form nobody could disagree.