It was Danny Buderus’ milestone moment.
His 250th NRL game but the veteran was hurting.
It was Round 22 of the 2013 season and the nib Newcastle Knights legend was gearing up for his milestone game against Cronulla at Shark Park.
'Nerves almost ruined game 250'
It should’ve been a magic moment but nerves got the better of the talented No.9.
“I was anxious. I couldn’t sleep in the afternoon,” Buderus recalled.
"I always have a little supplement that has a little bit more caffeine in it and I just burnt myself out.
Buderus described his nerves in the day leading up to the game as a combination of both the milestone and his form after returning from a back injury.
“I wasn’t really match hardened or fit as I had two back operations that year,” he said.
“I think I came back in Round 15 or something like that from a long time off a few months off.
“I remember being on the oxygen only 25 minutes into the game, because it just got the better of me, so I was filthy with a lot of things like that.”
But his teammates lifted for him and the game itself, was a classic.
The Knights clinched a late come from behind win but it wasn’t without nervous moments.
Jarrod Mullen fumbled the ball, allowing Todd Carney to give his team a 12-8 lead but Mullen’s error only spurred the playmaker on, as he set up a last-minute cross-field kick to Dane Gagai to steal the game.
The result was a 18-14 blue and red victory.
The game was considered as one of the Knights’ most important of the season as it helped to secure the Club’s spot in the finals but is held no dearer than by Buderus.
This was the day he broke Andrew Johns’ record of 249 appearances.
“The way the boys rallied to get home and get that win on the back of Jarrod Mullen’s beautiful kick over for Dane Gagai to win the match right on the bell, that was a testament to the boys and their character,” Buderus recalled.
“I will never forget it because I know that they were deep down trying to do it for myself and really drive home that 250th game, that milestone, to get it for a win.
“It was a great night for myself and for the team more importantly, it was a really important win for us to go into the semi finals. To win that game right in the last second, to win it 18-14 is special.”
