But the celebrated veteran will run out in the red and black hoops for the 500th time on Saturday when his Penshurst Bombers host Wickliffe-Lake Bolac.

Uebergang knew success from an early age, winning a premiership at under 15 level back in 1984 – three seasons before making his senior debut.

He spent the 1987 season dividing his time between senior and reserves duties, and played in the reserves premiership side that year.

But a hat-trick of senior flags from 1991-93 stands out as his biggest highlight.

“We had some pretty good players and I think we were just a pretty tight-knit group of blokes,” Uebergang said.

“There were no real outstanding players, just a pretty good team. Most of us played our junior footy together.”

His senior football days may be behind him, but Uebergang has become a valuable part of the Bombers’ reserves outfit.

He now calls the forward pocket home, but spent the majority of his career playing on the ball and through the midfield, as well as across half-back.

A broken wrist a decade ago required a wrist reconstruction and forced Uebergang out of of the game for 12 months, and while he returned to play some senior football, he started to transition into reserves.

He still played on the ball until recent seasons, but regardless of where he has found himself, the vastly experienced star has been more than willing to share his knowledge with the young players coming through.

The shearer has been carrying a hamstring injury in recent weeks, but has soldiered on out on the football field.

“That’s been a bit of a saga to get through, but that’s feeling good now,” Uebergang said.

As if playing a game of football every Saturday was not enough, Uebergang is also a runner for the Bombers’ under 16 side, which his sons Nathan and Jye play for, and a water carrier for the seniors.

Penshurst club president Brenden Cottrill said Uebergang’s role on the football field was “universal”, and his experience invaluable.

“He just reads the play so well,” Cottrill said.

“What he doesn’t have in speed any more, he can make up with his ability to read the ball well and be in the right place.

“He’s just such a mentor for the young kids, if he’s out on the field with them he’ll tell them where to run and it’s usually where the ball ends up.”

Cottrill also labelled him “one of the best clubmen you’ll get”.

Uebergang thanked the club for its support over the decades and in reaching his milestone.