FOR more than a decade, Matt Carroll has dominated the Group Seven Rugby League field.
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From his exceptional game control to his precision in-game kicking, Carroll is without a doubt one of the best halfbacks the South Coast has seen in recent years.
Another part of his game has been the ability to not only score tries but convert them from all over the field.
So much so, unbeknown to him, the halfback recently overtook Gerringong's Joel Roberts (1790 points) as the competition's top ever point-scorer in first grade with 1902.
Therefore, Saturday's match will pit Carroll against Roberts and previous record-holder Michael Cronin's former side for the first time since breaking the mark.
"I've always taken a lot of pride in my goal-kicking, because turning four points into six is really important, especially when you're playing for a top side," Carroll said.
"Breaking the record is an amazing achievement, as I never thought I'd go close to taking over Mick [Cronin] (who still holds the single season points record with 316 (30 tries, 113 goals) in 1971), let alone Joel.
"It'll be special to celebrate the mark at Gerringong - which is not only a ground where I've played plenty of fierce contests at but also where those two legends, who achieved so much in our sport, played their careers."
Fittingly, another reason why Saturday's round six fixture will be significant to the 32-year-old, as it'll also mark his 100th first grade game for Shellharbour - a club where, apart from six years at Albion Park-Oak Flats when the Sharks played in the Coal League, he's played his entire footy career.
"This milestone means everything to me," Carroll said.
"It's my junior club and my family club.
"My dad played for the Sharks and is one of the local old boys, so to see a lot of them returning to the area for the 100th year is great.
"It's even more special that some of my milestones with the club have come about this year - especially when you consider the injuries I've had to overcome."
In total, Carroll has played 253 games in Group Seven, including 165 at the Ron Costello Oval-based club and 88 with the Eagles.
"I played with the Park from 2009 and 2014 and thoroughly enjoyed my time there," he said.
"It's a great club where I made some lifelong friends while also winning two premierships.
"I had a lot of amazing mentors at the club, which I'm really grateful for because I was pretty young when I went to the club.
"Shellharbour has forever been my hometown and it's my favourite place on earth, so playing for them has always made me very proud.
"It was so hard when they left the competition and I faced the decision of giving up footy or finding another club.
"I'm forever grateful that Albion Park took me under their wing but Shellharbour will always be my home club.
"My dad and my uncles started a legacy here and now that I have two boys of my own - it means even more to me to be here.
"Leading the boys out every home game is pretty special, especially knowing the field is named after Ronny - it's been a privilege to play on the ground for the majority of my career."
During that span, Carroll has achieved plenty including reaching five grand finals - where he's won on four occasions.
"I've been lucky to have numerous highlights in my career, but two stand out to me," he said.
"Winning the Michael Cronin Medal in 2017 was amazing, while captaining the Sharks to the 2018 premiership, was well as being named man of the match, is a night I'll never forget."
As happy as he is with his career, the halfback has no intentions of hanging up the boots anytime soon.
"I honestly live and breathe rugby league and have done my whole life," he said.
"I'm constantly watching and learning new things which help me to better my game.
"Rugby league has always been my outlet and I guess my passion for the game keeps me interested and competitive - I'll stay involved as long as I can."
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