Top cat reaches 350

Not only would Casterton Sandford like to clone Madalene Cleary but every club would like at least one Madalene Cleary, such is her value on and off the court.

The popular Cat celebrated 350 games at the weekend and there can be no doubt she will go down as one of the most valuable Island Park has ever seen.

A tight checking defender, a hard working goaler and a dynamic mid courter, Cleary is also a valued committee member, an inspiring coach and a championship winning representative player.

There aren’t too many roles Cleary hasn’t filled in her 350 game career, and she has taken her turn with the whistle as well.

IN a poetic twist, the ultimate utility actually played in all three areas of the court – goals, mid court and circle defence – in her 350th appearance for the Casterton Sandford club.

She started at Island Park in 2003 in the 13 & Under competition and for much of her career it has been all about family – often playing alongside either sister Jade, mother Trictia, and in some instances – both.

She played in a number of finals series as a junior and then there was the one goal loss to hot favourite West Gambier in the 2010 A Reserve grand final – a grand final she played alongside her mum.

Since her debut in 2003, Cleary has played all but a couple of seasons – mostly in A Grade since her graduation from junior ranks.

And it is in the top grade where she has showed herself to be a genuine utility like no other in the competition in the past two decades.

Cleary started as a fresh faced circle defender, known for her tight checking style and ability to play tall.

She then moved to the shooting circle, showing her wares as an accurate finisher who was strong on the hold and smart with her timing and then she took the centre bib, creating in attack and denying in defence.

In 2019, Cleary represented Western Border for the first time in the A Grade line-up, returning to her first love – circle defence – and she was a critical part of the SA Country Championship winning team, thriving in the strong line-up.

Cleary is one of those universally loved and respected players and she has gone from the rising junior talent to the inspirational veteran and this season, after three seasons without a win, she has led the young Cats to two victories in 2024, bringing out her famous Cat Attack headband as somewhat of a talisman,

Cleary will always challenge you on court and chances are she will make you laugh off court.

Her effort and commitment can never be questioned and the Cats are all too aware just how lucky they have been to have her in their corner for 350 games and in 2024, as has been the case for at least the past three seasons – she is almost always named in her side’s best.