GSFL 2025: Veteran Graham Ross to surpass club legend Brett Hall as North Albany league games record holder

Decorated footballer Graham Ross will officially become North Albany’s league games record holder on Sunday, surpassing club great Brett Hall with his 277th appearance for the Kangas. An eight-time league premiership player, Kleemann Medal winner, triple Kangas fairest and best and former league captain — Ross sits firmly as one of the club greats. He equalled the record set by club legend Hall of 276 league matches on Saturday in the Kangas’ heartbreaking one-point loss to Denmark-Walpole and will set a new benchmark in round four. It will be a special moment for Ross, who is one of only eight players at the club to reach 200 league games, when he runs out against the old foe in Royals. He will sit at the top of a list of highly respected Kangas players including Murray Wynne (242 games), Kelvin Stephens (210), Boyden Coyne (205), Russell Williams (202), Mick Mustey (202) and Ray Mountford (202). “I’ve not thought about it a huge amount, but when you do stop and think it’s like, all the people that played here in previous years and generations and all the good footballers have come through, it’s a pretty significant thing, most games is a pretty cool thing to have,” Ross said. “You just don’t know what’s going to happen next game, next contest, so you just play it week by week and see how you go. “I don’t really feel like I should be up at the top of that games list with players that are there. “Hally was leader of the side when I first moved down here, and someone I’ve always looked up to with the way he trains, the way he plays, and his determination to win a contest, win footy … he’s just a great leader and a great person around the club.” The 39-year-old has showed great durability during his career in the Great Southern Football League. Ross missed most of his first year with a broken ankle and spent two years travelling but has been a regular year in, year out. “Ignore your injuries, that’s probably the best one, I’ve played through a few of them,” he said. “I’ve been pretty lucky at the same time as well, playing a little bit either end of the ground you probably don’t get the contact that the inside mids get, so I’m fortunate in that way.” His family will be at Retravision Stadium to witness the record-breaking game and Ross said he was as eager as ever to knock off the Lions in a battle of the two teams that sit outside the top four. Hall said he was delighted to be handing over the games record to such a good mate. “I’m quite proud that he’s got there, he’s probably one of the best blokes around the club,” he said. “He’s just super resilient, just tough and solid. “He was pretty much the go to for the centre half back position for years and then as of late, he’s sort of getting on a little bit age wise, Boots (Brad Bootsma) has pushed him up forward, and he’s just again stood up.” In what doubles as Belt-Up Round in the GSFL, there will be two Saturday games with Mt Barker and Albany to meet at Sounness Park and Railways hosting the Magpies at Keep The Sheep Stadium. North Albany league games 276 – Graham Ross 276 – Brett Hall 242 – Murray Wynne 210 – Kelvin Stephens 205 – Boyden Coyne 202 – Russell Williams 202 – Mick Mustey 202 – Ray Mountford 197 – Terry Williams 192 – Brad Hitchcock 190 – Ted Thompson* 186 – Clive Walker 192 – Terry Nicholls *Ted Thompson played more games but records only go back to 1967