Balmain AFC Masters

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Balmain AFC Masters

32+ and not over the hill? Join us to train / play footy in a fun friendly environment.

Balmain AFC Masters - fitness, footy and fun for over 32's

Please visit our website: https://balmainafc.com

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01/06/2026

🏉 From Schoolyard Tuffnut to Masters Mainstay – Damian 'Lethal' Carey Celebrating 50 Games

Fifty games in Balmain Masters colours is a milestone worth celebrating, but for this club stalwart, the number tells only part of the story.

His football journey began in Adelaide, where a self-described "mild-mannered" kid discovered he had a knack for being a surprisingly effective on-field enforcer. After junior footy with West Adelaide and years in the Amateur League, work, travel and family life eventually saw the boots packed away.

For decades.

Then, almost by accident, he discovered Masters AFL. A random article about a 60-year-old still playing in Darwin led him to Balmain AFC, where he found a community proving that footy doesn't come with an expiry date.

Today, he's one of the club's most enthusiastic contributors, playing social and representative footy across NSW while embodying everything that makes Masters football special.

What's the biggest lesson footy has taught you?
"I've had MRIs on my knees and back and they're basically horror stories. But none of it affects my day-to-day life. I'm fitter, stronger and more flexible than I'd otherwise be, so I'll keep going while I've still got a pulse.

It's a good reminder that things that seem impossible are often completely possible."

What stands out as your most memorable achievement?
"Winning premierships in 1981 and 1984 will always be special. I also won my school First XVIII Best and Fairest with Greg Anderson in the team — although it's worth mentioning he didn't actually play that season!"

What does 50 games for Balmain mean to you?
"It's an honour to play any games for Balmain, let alone 50. The club has an unbelievably supportive culture no matter what stage of life you're at.

Footy for fun, no scores, just run."

Congratulations on reaching 50 games. Your journey is proof that football doesn't have an expiry date—and that sometimes the best chapters come long after you think the story is finished. 👏🖤💛

31/05/2026

Celebrating a True Club Man: 50 Masters Games for One of Balmain's Finest Joel 'Goose' Gray
Today we celebrate another 50-game milestone, but this one carries a little extra significance.
With more than 200 games across all levels for the club, this marks 50 Masters appearances for one of Balmain's true foundation figures. A proud St Kilda supporter and Melbourne native, he first pulled on the boots as an Under 9 and has barely stopped since.
Joining Balmain in 2013, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the club into the thriving community it is today. Through coaching, mentoring, leadership and an unwavering commitment to the club, his influence extends far beyond what happens on the field.
With more goals than anyone else in club history and an accuracy that puts Plugger to shame, we caught up with the man himself to reflect on his journey.
You've been around football your whole life. Have you ever stepped away from the game?
"Not really — apart from injuries. Honestly, I don't know life without footy."
What's the key to success, both on and off the field?
"Success takes work, just like most things in life. Half-arse it, and that's exactly what you'll get back."
What's the best individual performance of your career?
"I've kicked 11 goals in a game and 10 a few times. The 10 against Randwick a few years ago was pretty special — especially considering I unknowingly played the match with COVID."
What keeps you coming back year after year?
"My old man always told me, 'You're a long time retired.' I've always loved playing, so why stop if you don't have to? Masters is the perfect way to keep enjoying the game."
Who's been your favourite teammate to play with?
"Smooth and I go a long way back. As a full-forward these days, anyone who puts the ball out in front of me is a favourite teammate!
But honestly, the best thing about footy is the friendships and the banter. We've got a ripping bunch of people at Balmain."
Any final thoughts?
"I'm very lucky to share the honour of being a Life Member with my brother, Smooth."

30/05/2026

Round 4 Balmain Tigers versus the almost didn't happen, but thanks to sun gods there was some great footy played at Tigerland.

28/05/2026

BAFC Masters vs Wollondilly
Round 4, 30th May at Rozelle Parklands
Bounce will be 10.20am
Arrival 9.20pm
This is going to be great day of footy so join us down at Tigerland.

26/05/2026

Today’s Balmain AFL Spotlight Player is Sammy “Bollywood” Virk ⭐️

Sammy is Balmain AFL’s Communications Manager and one of the great personalities around the club.

Growing up in India, Sammy’s early sporting influences came from Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Pumping Iron Team sport wasn’t part of his world at the time.

What inspired Sammy to come to Australia was watching a nature documentary as a young man. Arriving in Melbourne more than 30 years ago, he admits he felt like a fish out of water. India at the time was a very different world to life in Australia, and adjusting wasn’t always easy.

Then came footy.

AFL became Sammy’s first ever team sport, and it gave him far more than just a game to play. The inclusivity, the friendships, and the sense of belonging filtered into his everyday life. The lessons he learnt through footy became a template for how he approached life in Australia.

Sammy first joined Balmain through Kickstart and instantly loved it. While the footy itself was great, it was the camaraderie and mateship that truly hooked him.

When his son started playing, Sammy’s connection to the game deepened even more — and from there, footy became a huge part of his family and community life.

A proud Tiger and a valued part of the Balmain AFL family 🖤💛

Here his story on the Loose Man in Defence Podcast
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4dFgN8F7e2XEmajjRCE8X8?si=Wd1NYyd9QjKWrQgbCN6vuQ&nd=1&dlsi=16e567e74a0a4bc9

24/05/2026

Great social game on the weekend between Balmain Australian Footy Club and the Hunter Hornets 🏉

They travelled down, we travelled up, and we met in the middle for a fantastic day of footy. Huge turnout, great spirits all around, and plenty of laughs and good contests.

At the end of the day, footy was the real winner 👏

As always this could not be possible without the support of our sponsor TSS Total Surveying Solutions.

18/05/2026

🐯 Tiger of the Week 🐯
Some of us glide through the air, defying gravity to pluck the ball mid-flight. Others run like tigers incarnate, covering the field with fluid ease. And then there are those built simply to wreak havoc and bring the chaos.
That’s where our Tiger of the Week lives.
Defending like a champion, tackling and securing the ball like it was his firstborn, Barnsey throws himself into every contest without hesitation. But sometimes chaos isn’t your friend… or your friend’s friend.
If ever there was a man who deserves a drink bought for him, it’s Barnsey.

17/05/2026

It was a massive weekend of footy at Tigerland. Not only was it Ladies Day and all the festivities that came with it, but we also had all five of our teams playing at home.

The Masters had a tough game and went down to a very formidable opponent , but as they say, “If you’re not winning, you’re learning.”

The rest of the club had a fantastic day, with some great wins across the board.

We were also lucky enough to have down to photograph all the action — and there were some absolute cracking shots captured throughout the day.

14/05/2026

BAFC Masters vs Pennant Hills
Round 3, 16th May at Rozelle Parklands
Bounce will be 10.40am
Arrival 9.40pm
This game is part of a huge day of home footy and our annual Ladies Day — packed with footy, fizz, and unforgettable vibes.

11/05/2026

Footy for Fun!
Hunter AFL Masters and AFL Masters NSW
are pleased to invite all AFL Masters participants to the
2026 NEWCASTLE MINI-CARNIVAL
SATURDAY, 6 JUNE 2026
ROUND ROBIN FORMAT
FIRST BOUNCE

Newcastle Number 1 Sports Ground, Newcastle West NSW 2302

Address

Balmain, NSW

Telephone

+61418647019

Website

https://balmainafc.com/

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