Humble GIANTS VFL skipper Ryan Hebron says a gutsy team win over Casey last weekend was the perfect low-key way to celebrate a special personal milestone. 

Joining the club as its inaugural VFL skipper ahead of the 2022 season after stints with the Swans and Werribee, Hebron celebrated his 150^th state league game last weekend as the GIANTS continued their red-hot start to the season with a 53-point win over the Demons.

Not knowing he’d reached the milestone until after Saturday's game, Hebron said the no-fuss occasion was perfectly played out to script.

“I’m always more focused on the team winning [than milestones] but if I was to design my 150^th celebration it would be to not know about it until after we beat a really stacked talented team like Casey,” the humble Hebron said.

“I was really happy with how it panned out – no fuss but just a great win.”

The modest skipper acknowledged that the milestone was a nice reflection of his hard work and his commitment to his football – which he juggles alongside his full-time job as an exercise physiologist.

“I think it does represent a lot of perseverance,” he said.

“I don’t think there’s that many boys getting to 150 state league games because if you’re not in the AFL then it is a big time commitment that takes way from things like work and it’s tough to manage your time.

“That’s probably what it [the milestone] means to me – it’s a nice reflection of perseverance.

“The other thing that is a nice one to reflect on is that it’s [state league] a good level of footy, and coaches have picked me 150 times which is a big privilege. So I definitely don’t take any games for granted and to get to 150 is a cool achievement.”

Hebron went on to share which games have stuck with him the most across his 150 games.

“It’s always team success that’s a highlight. It’s nice to kick goals or take marks but they’re not the ones you remember as much.

“The ones you remember most are the tough losses or the hard, more challenging games. Even on the weekend (against Casey), any game where you are up against a tough side and you have to be at your best, those are the games that are always highlights.

“Any time I’ve played finals is also a big highlight. I love the pressure and challenge of a team having to show up otherwise you’re knocked out - so finals series are also a highlight.”

Now in his fourth season at the club – all as skipper of the VFL side – Hebron is loving his time as a GIANT now as much as ever and the responsibility of captaining the side.

“I think it gets better every year,” he said of his role as captain.

“At the start I don’t think I had any clue what leadership was, and I’m still working it out. But experiencing it all has been a good learning curve. I do love the responsibility and the accountability that comes with it. I do feel the weight of not only having to perform your role but also trying to bring people up around you as well -but it’s something I really enjoy.

“A lot of the captains in the comp are superstars, and that’s not me. I’m more of a humble average player, but I’ve just got to make sure the right attitude and effort is always there at training or on game days and I do like that challenge of leading this great group, it’s a real privilege.”

While the GIANTS have won their opening three VFL games of the season to stamp themselves as an early-season premiership contender, Hebron says the side still has plenty of room for improvement in what is a long season ahead.

“I think this year is the best we’ve been at adhering to [our] system. We are also really checked in and our attitude and effort has gone up to another level.

“They are all big things that ‘Crippa’ [VFL coach Wayne Cripps] is ruthless on: attitude, effort, system, role, being selfless. It’s no surprise where the success comes from.

“Theres also a little bit of luck involved when you’re healthy but it’s also the result of boys backing in the system and playing roles instead of everyone wanting to be the hero. The AFL boys that have come in have levelled up, the VFL boys playing roles have levelled up, and I feel we are playing great footy because we are a good team which is special.

“But in saying all of that, the state league [VFL] is pretty humbling. Within 40 days you can go from having 18 [AFL] listed blokes and your best top ups to having five [AFL] listed players. We are objectively one of the best teams in the comp right now, but it means nothing in April. We need to bank those wins and keep developing, including the boys that aren’t playing at the moment– that’s the key.

“So we are optimistic for sure but there’s so many uncontrollable so you have got to stay humble and control what you can control.”

Highlighting AFL quartet Leek Aleer, Wade Derksen, Max Gruzewski, and Nathan Wardius, alongside VFL-listed midfielder Marc Sheather - as players having stellar seasons so far - Hebron was hopeful the VFL side can continue their stellar form as they take on Footscray in Blacktown on Sunday.

“Footscray have a lot of talent and they are a really dangerous offensive team so we are going to have to be at our best controlling that.

“Theres lots of things we need to work on and there’s so much for us to improve on but I think we’ll compete well and show up again and hopefully get it done.”

As for whether he can reach the 200-game milestone, Hebron is more focused on another big goal.

“I’m not a big stats guy. There is one stat that would matter to me and that’s winning a GIANTS’ VFL flag. I’m not playing for any other reason.”

Hebron will lead the GIANTS out on Sunday at midday against Footscray at Blacktown International Sportspark.