Recently Mark Gullick wrote an article on the milestone games of Rowdy and Spanner for the Pakenham Gazette, but the editors couldn't find room to fit it in the paper so Mark has kindly passed it on to us to put on the website, Thanks Mark                                       ROWDY & SPANNA DOVETON celebrated the milestones of two favourite sons, Brad Downe and Ryan Hendy, with a 23-point win over Keysborough. Downe reached the 250 game mark, while Hendy played his 200th against the Burras. Their milestones add another chapter into the story that began many years in a local park. “Brad was nine and I was about six and a bloke that was involved with the Endeavour Hills junior footy club saw us kicking the footy in the park, so he asked us if we wanted to play footy,” Hendy said. “We went up to Endeavour Hills and played our first ever game of footy together. Then we ended up playing footy together and have been great mates ever since. And we ended up playing our milestones together, which is unbelievable really.” The pair crossed to Doveton and were playing seniors as teenagers. Coach Mark Ladgrove spoke highly of their loyalty. “Both players have stuck by the footy club,” he said. “They’ve had offers to go elsewhere and take money, but they’ve stuck with the club. Their parents are cornerstones of the footy club.” The duo have never seriously considered leaving. “I’ve had a few approaches, but never thought of leaving as I love playing there,” Downe said. “I love the place and I’m pretty proud that I’ve played 250 games there.” Hendy feels the same. “I’ve had a lot of offers to leave, but I’m homegrown at Doveton and always wanted to stay there,” he said. A strong family link has kept Downe and Hendy at the club. Downe’s father Graeme is an official legend of the club, while his mother is a member of the hall of fame. Hendy’s father Stephen and mother Fay are also hall of famers. Both players are hall of fame members. “My five brothers have all played there at some stage, and my dad played 200 games,” Downe said. “He’s been president before and my mum’s worked in the canteen. We’ve been there pretty much our whole lives.” It’s a similar scenario for Hendy. “Dad’s been president or secretary for over 20 years and played for Doveton when he was younger,” he said. Downe made his name as a defender. He won the club best and fairest in 2000 and 2001, and was a member of the 2005 premiership team. “The premiership was pretty special as I’d played in about five losing grannys, so it was good to win one,” he said. The versatile Hendy won the best and fairest in 2008, finished runners-up in two Norm Walker medal counts and represented the league, and was a teammate of Downe’s in the premiership win. The pair also play for the Doveton Cricket Club, along with several other footballers.  Ladgrove praised the pair. “Brad’s been playing that long that I played senior footy with him,” he said. “When he first came in as a 18 or 19 year old, he played like he was 30, so he’s continued to do that for many years.” On Hendy, Ladgrove said, “Ryan’s a gifted footballer. There’s probably not a better kick for goal in the competition. His elusive skills when he’s got the footy is pretty good.” Downe and Hendy have shown few signs of slowing down. “Both Brad and Ryan played well and it was good the side around them backed them up and were able to come home with the points,” Ladgrove said. With Doveton a genuine finals aspirant, the veteran nous of Downe and Hendy will be crucial. “We think we’re good enough to play finals this year,” Hendy said. “We’ve got a lot of kids that have taken the next step this year.”