AFTER being told by surgeons he had no future as a footballer while still a teen, Whorouly's Richard Leahy is happy simply to be playing the sport he loves.
The gun forward doesn't like to be the centre of attention, preferring to go about his business with a minimum of fanfare, but he couldn't avoid the spotlight on Saturday as he brought up his 100th goal for the season.
Whorouly crushed Tatong by 213 points, with Leahy booting a career best 15 goals.
It was a milestone that came out of the blue after Leahy started the day with 85 majors to his name from 12 matches.
"I didn't want any fuss made of it, but the boys helped me out a bit," Leahy said.
"I didn't go in thinking I was going to kick that many goals, but it just all worked out.
"I'll often get 15 shots at goal, but normally I'll kick 10.5 or 9.6, but this time I kicked 15.2.
"It's probably the straightest I've ever kicked they were sailing over the goal umpire's head.
"It was good to get it out of the way, because if I'd had two or three to go I would have had a nervous week.
"At least now I can celebrate and have it out of the way."
Leahy was plagued my knee injuries in his youth and underwent a host of operations, but he hasn't missed a game this year and said he felt on top of those issues.
"That was one of the things that made getting 100 goals so special," he said.
"It's not something that I ever expected to happen, because until last year I didn't play much footy as a forward.
"But more than that it was the fact that I wasn't even supposed to be able to still be playing football.
"I'm only 24, but they basically said I'd be done by now.
"Football-wise I think I'm as fit as I've ever been."
But as special as the ton was for Leahy, he said it would mean little compared to a premiership.
"I'm good mates with Boppa (coach Brendan Roche), and really all I'm thinking about is the end of the year," he said.
"He's a great coach, and it would be great if we could win the flag for him."
While Leahy has a realistic chance of breaking the league record of 135 goals set by Brendan Sessions in 2008, he may find himself with fewer opportunities once Daniel West, who booted 100 goals in 2010, breaks back into the senior side.
"Westy came back through the twos (on Saturday), so he won't be far off," he said.
"I think we will just play it according to the match ups and who we're playing against.
"I'm happy for him to take the goal square and head back into the midfield myself, but I think it will be a bit of a mix.
"Up against the top sides, if I can kick three or four and he can kick three or four, I think that's a better balance than what we've had."
By - SCOTT ANDERSON.
www.nenews.com.au
MILESTONE: Whorouly's Richard Leahy booted his 100th goal for the season on Saturday as the Lions thumped Tatong by 213 points.
PHOTO: Border Mail
Last Modified on 17/07/2012 19:44