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He added a third reserves premiership in 2002 after receiving a late call-up for the grand final.<\/p>\n
While the premierships remain special, Gomez said it is the friendships and traditions around the club that stand out most.<\/p>\n
One memory in particular is the club’s famous “Sunday barrel” tradition.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe pubs weren\u2019t open on a Sunday, so we\u2019d walk a lap together, and then it was time to have a beer and a barbecue at the club,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019d play cards, talk amongst each other and drink. It was just super special.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gomez said being the club’s games record holder and having spent more than 50 years at North Geelong filled him with immense pride.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s my 15 minutes of fame, really,” he joked.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe club has been just the best thing for me. It\u2019s like a second family.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you come to a reunion, it\u2019s like we never left each other\u2019s sight.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gomez still gets down to North Geelong every week to watch the seniors and support his daughter, who coaches the under-17s.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe club is in really good shape, coming off that senior flag last year,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are starting to get the cohesion together this year, and they\u2019re playing some good games. Fingers crossed we can lift the cup again.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
After more than 50 years at North Geelong Football Netball Club and a record 417 games, Carlos Gomez still turns up every week. As the Magpies celebrate their 150th anniversary this weekend, the 64-year-old says the club remains like a second family. Gomez joined North Geelong as a 15-year-old after kicking the footy around with […]<\/p>\n