Top defender Wilson set for 200th milestone
KIEREN Wilson has worn the black and white strips of Boort since first donning the jumper during one of the club’s great junior eras.
This Saturday, the classy North Central defender will run onto Boort Park for his 200th senior game when the Pies meet St Arnaud and continues its flight for a return to finals action in August.
Wilson has been a crucial cog for Boort in its rise over the past four years. “We had some good junior sides when I started in the under 14s - played in three grand finals,” he said. “We all looked up to coach Billy Streader, to all the junior coaches and learnt a lot from those who were in the senior side.”
Wilson remembers making his senior debut in 2011 when Neville Messina was at the helm. “We won that day and while there have been years like 2018-2020 when we have been light on for good players, we have kept going because we’re all mates.
“Sure, I’ve had offers from other clubs but I’ve wanted to stay at Boort with mates.”
Recognised as one of the league’s leading defenders, Wilson said he was at his football best across the half-back line.
“In some of the years we were struggling, I was being played some times in the midfield ... even have a just few goals to the name,” Wilson said.
Wilson has played more than 270 junior and senior games for Boort. In almost half, he has been named in the side’s best players.
Like when he and brother James graduated to the seniors, Wilson is now seeing another good young crop of players stepping up at Boort. Some have already experienced his guidance and influence from his stint as a junior coach.
Wilson says the rise of Boort started under coach Andrew Hawker and had continued with Dale Cameron at the helm.
“Dale’s brought a few former locals back to club, recruited players like Jhye Baddely-Kelly and Jayden Dick and we’ve seen some big improvements this year,” he said.
“We’re all mates looking out for each other.”
Wilson said his preparation for Saturday’s 200th senior game will follow the normal routine.
“Coffee and Weetbix and try to relax,” said the Boort defenders.