By Jonathan B Geddes & Clay Cross

WHAT a way for Northern Suburbs stalwart Sam Kitchen to celebrate his 150^th first grade game – a 33-26 win in the do-or-die clash against Manly on Saturday to keep his team’s finals hopes alive.

Heading into this weekend’s intriguing final round, Norths trail sixth-placed Eastwood by four points on the ladder.

Norths have a Kitchen but no lounge room – it all comes down to this Saturday when they take on Souths at Forshaw and Eastwood are away to the red-hot Sydney University.

“I don’t think I have actually ever won a game on a milestone,” proud clubman Kitchen told Rugby News at fulltime as he savoured the special moment on his home ground, North Sydney Oval.

“This time of year is exactly why we play, it’s knockout rugby and everything is on the line every week at the moment.”

SAM’S THE MAN

IT was a phenomenal effort for the 32-year-old Kitchen to become just the 11^th Norths player to reach the 150- first grade landmark – as a hooker where there is no room to hide and in 2026 where such longevity is becoming a rarity.

“It’s never something you start to play at a club for,” he said. “It is one of those things you start to see on the horizon and nice to have. I’m really proud to achieve something like that.

“Norths has always been a great club, and I wouldn’t want to play anywhere else.”

While most players can only dream of a grand final appearance, coach Zak Beer said Kitchen has played in four Shute Shield deciders for Norths.

“He’s had an impressive career, and he’s still got more in his legs,” Beer said. “I hope he goes again next year.”  

MORE THAN A GAME

KITCHEN said his achievement represented a lot more than running onto the field each Saturday afternoon.

“It’s pre-game in the sheds, that energy when you are about to run out with your mates,” he said.

“Obviously playing a game of rugby and winning things. It’s also post-match -you’ve got your mates there, and you’ve all done something.

“There is no other thing where you could see your mates four times a week and not be in the pub, and your wife is saying ‘where the hell are you going?’

“It fills you with enjoyment and distracts you from life and work.”

Kitchen has yet to decide on his playing future beyond this season.

And he is also about 10 games shy of 200 club games for Norths.

“Can I face another pre-season? We’ll see,” he said.

FIGHTING FOR SURVIVAL

BEER said the biggest thing for Norths was winning those tight games like Saturday, no matter the opposition.

“You’ve got to have a lot of fight and heart for each other, which we did multiple times today,” Beer said. “This is August and September level intensity -win ugly, win pretty, you’ve just got to win.”    

With their season on the line, Norths had a battle until the final whistle against a spirited Manly side that refused to go away.

“I think there is a bit of maturity in the group … we only need a minute or so to get down (into the opposition territory) and do what we need to do,” Kitchen said.

“When we play our style of footy that we train for, I don’t think many teams can touch us- it’s just a matter of being consistent.”

And there is no chance Norths will take Souths lightly this weekend with their season on the line.

“It’s key for us we give Souths their due; they have had an unlucky year, but they can sting you.

“It’s back to work on Monday, and we are preparing like it’s another finals game.”