Max has plenty to be proud about

By ZAC MILBANK

Triple Glenelg premiership defender Max Proud has confronted no shortage of challenges on his path to 200th Hostplus SANFL League games.

But at age 33, the Bays warrior is continuing to meet them head on, just as he has attacked the Sherrin in his 199 appearances since making his League debut in 2012.

Speaking on SANFL Radio, the 2023 premiership skipper is now being charged with pulling together Glenelg’s backline in the wake of losing Harrison Ramm and Oscar Adams through the AFL’s Mid-Season Draft.

It is a critical role considering the rest of the Bays’ line-up is settled as it continues on its mission to claim an historic third premiership in succession.

A fourth flag would put Proud in elite company at Brighton Road after featuring in the Tigers’ 2019, 2023 and 2024 triumphs which are all special to him in different ways.

2019 was the club’s drought-breaker, Proud was captain in 2023 and the 2024 title-decider is the best game of football Proud says he’s been involved in.

After initially retiring having captained Glenelg to the 2023 flag, Proud is extremely glad he reconsidered his call shortly after to be a part of the incredible journey to winning in 2024.

He’s relished the twilight of his career given the recent success whilst also playing in five matches for the West End State team since 2019 and lining up alongside his cousin, Archie Lovelock.

Nominating Ken Farmer Medallist Michael Wundke as his toughest opponent early in his career before Jack Hayes assumed the mantle in latter seasons, Proud remembers facing Andrew Ainger in his first League game against South Adelaide.

He has managed to kick just 17 goals while chiefly stationed in defence, with one of his most memorable coming against West Adelaide in 2023 after snaring a clever one-handed mark at the top of the goal square.

Thriving in his off-field role as a project manager with construction company Partek, Proud is particularly thankful to Tigers coach Darren Reeves for providing him with the flexibility to further himself professionally.

Set to receive his SANFL Player Life Membership at next year’s AGM, Proud will share his milestone against North Adelaide at Stratarama Stadium on Sunday with teammates Luke Partington (100 games) and James Bell (50 games).