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David (Fierce Doug) Batten - 150 games

15 July 2011

In characteristic modesty, "our" Dougy Batten has attempted to play down the fact that this Saturday, on the hallowed turf of the University Main Oval, he will run out for his 150th game for the Blacks.


In his 10 years at the club, Doug has been a part of the meteoric rise that was the '04 and '05 premierships, along with the march to A-grade in 2008. His position in the back-line has become almost geological. It now seems wrong to look at a Blacks lineup without him down back.


Doug came to the Blacks in 2001 with Moffa. Two young players who saw their destiny in taking the Blacks from the bottom-end of the VAFA grades, back up where the Blacks belong. The formula was simple - turn the Blacks into a place where people wanted to play.

He could not be described as "Smooth" or "Sharp", or gifted with supreme hand or foot skills, but few other players have managed to wring as much from their talent through sheer hard work on the track, and desperation on the field. He can be given any job, from the toughest onballer, to a key forward, and you know he will give it everything, and more often than not, come away on top.

Doug has played a huge part in restoring the Blacks to the position we are now in, so let's come down to the Uni Main on Saturday to celebrate, and congratulate him on a great career so far, with plenty more games to come.

Well done, Dougy.