Every Hostplus Cup club would have a loyal hard working staff member, first to arrive and unlock and last to leave; always happy to play their part.
Every week, every season, they’re the face you see first and the voice you hear last.
At the Ipswich Jets, it’s head trainer Dean Arbuthnot. Since 2011, he’s stretched and pulled tape around ankles and wrists.
This week against the Burleigh Bears on Ipswich Jets Old Boys Day, Arbuthnot will “play” his 300th Hostplus Cup game for the Ipswich Jets.
“I remember Matt Barradeen got me to do the Colts, in 2011 and I was so excited,” Arbuthnot recalled.
“Colts at the Jets, how good is this, I got a polo and thought life was pretty good.
“I never thought I would get to do Cup.”
Since that first day against the Capras in 2011, Arbuthnot has come across all sorts of players, coaches and staff.
“They all leave a mark, I see players at training and see the injuries,” Arbuthnot said.
“Tough players like Nat Neale, he just didn’t miss games, but then someone like Josh Cleeland who I just loved watching play.
“Cleeland was a great player and one of my favourites.
“Joel Holdsworth, who had some concussions and can’t play anymore but is still around helping and is just a ripping bloke.
“Staff I learnt so much from, 'Barra' and Dr Roy Saunders. I could sit and watch Dr Saunders, and he explained things to me in such a calm way.”
When it comes to missed games, Arbuthnot can recall three he’s missed over the Jets journey.
“My wife was in hospital so I missed that game, my best mate’s daughter had her wedding so there is two, and I think I might have been sick for the third one.”
It would be easy to say the Hostplus Cup and BRL premiership year in 2015 was the highlight but that’s not how Arbuthnot breaks it down.
“My highlight would be the lead up to that 2015 year, from 2011 to 2015 just watching the place come together; those premierships were four years in the making not just 12 months,” Arbuthnot said.
“That’s my highlight.”
That says a lot about Arbuthnot - the highlight wasn’t the end glory but the pathway there, strapping ankles and wrists along the way and ultimately playing his part.
Jets assistant coach Mark Bishop has been with Arbuthnot since he started.
“I always say the veteran strapper is the best judge of players,” Bishop said.
“If the strapper likes you, you’re going to be ok.
“Dean plays the cranky man, and the players call him cranky dad, but he’d do anything for any of them.
“He sees them more than anyone.”
On Saturday when the Jets play the Bears on Old Boys Day, Arbuthnot will be hidden away strapping, all while keeping players on their toes.
No one would have it any other way.
Photo: Chris Lenehan.
