Sitauti Mailei brings up game number 250
Club legend and prolific Premiership champion, Sitauti Mailei is primed to play his 250th game for Wests as the mighty Lions head to Griffith Oval on Saturday to take on Easts.
The major milestone for Sitauti comes in his 20th season of being a Lion, having joined the Wests Juniors in 1999.
"I can’t believe I’ve reached 250 games, firstly. The 250 games for Wests means a lot to me. Not just the amount of games played but the time representing the club and its community. I’ve grown up with Wests and have raised my family during this time with Wests. I’ve got a lot of great memories and have built long term friendships with not only the players but the community that supports the club. I’m just happy to be able to give back to the club by being able to play and represent them on the field," Mailei said.
The trophy cabinet for Sitauti has plenty of silverware, having won Colts premierships in 2004 and 2005 and 2nd Grade in 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2012. Sitauti is known as a big game player having won man of the match in five out of the six grand final victories, famously stealing it from Rocket Rod in the 2012 grand final.
In what is a significant milestone for the club, a feat which only a few have achieved, Sitauti may be the only player at the club who has attended more games than training sessions.
Despite racking up 44 First Grade appearances, Sitauti's greatest memory was back in Colts of 2005.
"Not only the fact that Wests won all five grades that year but to be provided the opportunity to Captain our colts team – of which we had so many great players that all went on to play first grade – but to also have been undefeated that year. It was awesome," Mailei said with a smile.
Congratulations Sitauti, a great man on and off the field.
With a split round this weekend, the 3rd and 4th Graders will be navigated by Coach Baratta and Coach Ryan, to the deep south of icy Cooma on the team bus in an intriguing match up against the men in red.
Good luck to all teams, go well.
Wests v Easts @ Griffith Oval
1st Grade 3:05pm
2nd Grade 1:40pm
Colts 12:15pm
Wests v Cooma @ Rotary Field, Cooma
3rd Grade 3:00pm
4th Grade 1:10pm
