Narre Warren full-forward Kerem Baskaya kicks his 100th goal for the season against ROC at Fox Road on Saturday. The big man made it a day to remember by booting 13-goals in the Magpies huge 219-point win.
By DAVID NAGEL
KEREM Baskaya has crossed the Nullarbor Plains in his football journey and that long trek stopped at a major destination on Saturday when he became a century goal kicker for the very first time.
The Narre Warren spearhead joined last week’s entrant into footballs most exclusive club, Cranbourne’s Marc Holt, with an exhilarating 13-goal haul in the Magpies 219-point romp against ROC at Fox Road.
An early goal left Baskaya one short of the magic milestone, and after two missed attempts he converted a lace-out pass from Andy Soumilas to turn every full-forwards dream into reality.
“I felt a bit of tension there, but it was an awesome feeling to get it done,” the 30-year-old Baskaya said.
“It’s the first thing people ask when you tell them you’re a full-forward and I’ve been close a couple of times. It’s a team game but it’s definitely a nice milestone to achieve.”
Originally from Melbourne, the Baskaya family felt like a sea-change and moved to Perth when Kerem was nine. He played junior footy in the West before joining WAFL club East Fremantle and represented Western Australia at the Under-18s National Carnival in 2000.
That team included future AFL stars like Daniel Kerr, Darren Glass, Paul Hasleby and Dom Cassisi.
“There was a bit interest from AFL clubs back then, but back in those days if you didn’t get picked up at a young age it made it really tough to break through.” he said.
The Baskaya’s missed family and moved back to Victoria when Kerem was 19. He joined the Frankston Dolphins with the aim of having one last crack at the big-time before local footy came calling.
“I’ve got no real regrets about my footy at that time… I gave it a good shot.” he said.
Baskaya played two seasons with Keysborough before the family moved across the road from Hampton Park’s Robert Booth Reserve. Kerem and his younger brother Kain played several seasons with the Redbacks before they both moved to Narre Warren at the start of this season.
“Being at Narre Warren reminds me of my time in the WAFL,” Baskaya said. “Everyone is so professional but at the same time there’s a real family atmosphere and a great culture at the club. Right down the line everyone’s got the best interests of the club at heart, you can just see why the clubs been so successful over the years.”
Baskaya started his celebrations with some time with his mum and dad, who he said have missed just a handful of games in over 20 years, before he headed into the clubrooms to quench a hard earned thirst.
“It was great to share the experience with family and friends but it was even better that I didn’t have to buy too many beers,” Baskaya said with a laugh.
“Full credit to the ROC guys, they hung around and there were heaps in the rooms, there was just a good feeling around the place.”
After several soft tissue injuries throughout his career and slipping a disc in his back last year, Baskaya feels the best he has in a very long time. The imposing forward is jumping out of his skin as he sets his sights on another first come season’s end, with his maiden senior premiership.
“It’ll be tough but we know we’re good enough if we play our best footy,” he said.
“We’ll need to play our best though because Cranbourne is a great side, the rivalry we have is really bringing the best out of each other.”
And what of the other great rivalry he shares with Cranbourne’s Holt and their race for the 2012 goal kicking title?
“It’s funny you know. About 10 years ago we worked together in this crappy fibreglass place for about two or three weeks,” Baskaya said.
“Now 10 years later we’ve both kicked 100 goals within a week of each other.
“It’s just funny how things work out sometimes.”
