Ivanhoe Amateurs salutes evergreen reserves utility Joe Mazzocca on his 250th game for the club in Round 1.

A ruckman in his school days, Joe played in the 1988 Herald Shield Collingwood zone final.

Joe joined ex-schoolmates at Ivanhoe Park in 1998 and has now become only the seventh player in the club’s history to reach the 250-game milestone.

He earned the nickname Iron Fist as a hard-working and disciplined defender who could be counted on to spoil in a one-on-one contest.

In recent years, this dedicated clubman and life member has regularly volunteered to help out on match days, whether it be running boundary, water, the scoreboard, or goal umpiring.

And whenever the ressies were struggling for numbers, Joe could be counted on to dust off his #69 jumper and run out the game.

Last season, he was the toast of the club after kicking only his second-ever goal for the Hoers.

And in Round 1 this season, Joe turned back the clock with a vintage performance, which included an early mark and nearly snagging his third-ever goal, earning him best-on ground.

Congratulations Joe. A great achievement for a fantastic Ivanhoe person.

– Phil Skeggs & Ross Toogood