27/08/2026
Daniel Schmidt - It's been worth the wait
It has been a long time coming but Club Captain Daniel Schmidt will play his 100th senior game for the Tigers this Saturday in the 2026 Qualifying Final at the Den against the UQ Red Lions.
Schmidty as he is most affectionately referred made his senior debut back in 2017 playing eleven senior games and eight reserve grade games after graduating from the Mayne Colts programme. He is also another former Everton Wolves player to graduate to the Tigers and forge a formidable career in black and gold.
Ten seasons may seem to be a stretch to make it to this incredible milestone but Schmidtyās journey has been one that would have tested the resolve of the most focussed and dedicated footballer. He has endured season ending and perhaps career ending injuries on more than one occasion from internal bleeding from a horrendous collision to ankle and shoulder surgeries, the time off field rehabilitating may almost challenge the time in the game, but he has never wavered. He recently quipped that his journey to 100 games may be the longest in the clubās history but it was with his usual quiet humour and a wry smile.
Schmidty carried the Tigerās ruckwork for several seasons leading to a number of his big injuries, but his work in defence in recent seasons has been the stuff of legend. He is a remarkable intercept player who has incredible closing speed, impeccable decision making ability and clean skills which is so often underestimated by his opponents.
While his role in the menās department doesnāt always gain the accolades of his team mates in the more flashy positions, he can claim a Club Champion award in 2022 and several representative honours including being awarded the best on ground in a South v North Queensland game. He is also a member of the Tigers Centenary Premiership team in 2024.
He was elected Club Captain of the Tigers for the 2025 season but again lady luck intervened to sideline him for the season following a shoulder dislocation and surgery. He did put the time to good use however being part of the coaching group leading to the 2025 premiership. This has wetted his appetite for coaching and in addition to senior duties he is the Reserve Grade Coach in 2026.
There seems to be nothing that this bloke canāt or wonāt take on as he is an important member of the Tigerās Management Committee, a leading member of the Social Committee and a regular seller at the Tigerās Breakfast Creek Raffles. While he was one of the quietest young men a few years ago, he has now blossomed into a great speaker, mentoring his Reserves, hosting Trivia Nights and even MC for the Tigers Presentation Night.
The Mayne Tigers are so very pleased to see Schmidty achieve this milestone he very much deserves and hope to see him kick on for many more.
The following messages have been penned by his Coaches and Team mates.
Congratulations on 100 games, Schmidty!
Itās been a journey to get there. Serious injuries have made the road a lot longer than it should have been, with nearly 10 years between game one and game 100. But if thereās one thing that sums up Schmidty, itās resilience.
Last year was probably the best example of that. As captain, Schmidty unfortunately spent the entire season injured, but that didnāt stop him from leading the group. He barely missed a training session, was always around the team and continued to contribute in every way he could. It would have been easy to become frustrated with the circumstances, but he continued to put the team first and did a fantastic job leading the group from the sidelines.
As a player, Schmidty is one of the most courageous guys youāll see. He has absolutely no hesitation putting his body on the line and keeps his eyes firmly on the footy.
His contribution to Mayne also extends well beyond playing. Heās a valued member of the committee, regularly volunteers his time around the club and is always willing to put his hand up to help. This year heās taken on another challenge, coaching our Ressies, and has done a great job.
Schmidty, 100 games is a milestone youāve had to work incredibly hard for and should be proud of, youāre commitment to the club is second to none.
Jack Gartlan - Coach
It's hard to think of a player who's had to overcome more setbacks than Schmidty on his way to 100 games. Time and time again he's been knocked down, only to dust himself off and go again. His Club Champion award and other individual honours reflect the quality of player he is, but his contribution to Mayne goes far beyond what he does on the field. From committee work to coaching, Schmidty is always putting his hand up to help make our club better. Congratulations on 100 games mate. A well-earned milestone for a bloke who is terrific clubman.
Jeremy Watts
Really proud and happy to see Schmidty reach this well deserved milestone!! He has been a heart and soul operator since his first game - he kicked 3 goals in a great win and wrote his name on the BnF board that night after a few Bundys. Schmidty is up there as one of the most courageous and toughest players I have played with. He has had a few serious injuries but runs back with the flight and into packs harder than most. Awesome club person as well, organising events, selling raffles at the brekky creek, coaching, and just being a great bloke around the club. Has more than deserved every accolade that has come his way so far and I am sure there will be plenty more!! Congrats mate.
Jack Collings #9
Thereās not much this bloke hasnāt done for the Mayne Tigers. Leading us on the pitch, backing into a pack, club champion, coach, active committee member. I missed my KPD partner in crime a lot last year due to colliding with him at training right before season start. To come back as fearless as ever from that awful injury is another achievement on the pile. It has been awesome to have him back out there in 2026, and fantastic to see him reach a thoroughly deserved milestone. Schmidty is the first Tiger who I look to on and off the field for advice. My captain #1
Kyle Henry
Daniel āChampion Dataā Schmidt has been rock solid down back ever since I joined the club. Always getting around the boys at training and on game day, his positivity is something everyone appreciates. Schmidtyās intercept marking game is as good as youāll see, and itās rare to see anyone beat the big man.
All the best for the milestone, boys ā congratulations on reaching it!
Eddie Mallan
Schmiddy the Terrace boy from Ashgrove!!! Another junior Wolf who has risen to Tiger success!
Been a dominant force in Fantasy for some time & is now plying his coaching skills in real life.
Congrats on the big 100 mate, I look fwd to your journey for years to come !!!
Danny āChipā Craven
Well done mate! Youāve had some setbacks in your time but those setbacks have made you a bigger and stronger player! Youāre a bloke that every team wished they had! Courageous, high flying, hard to stop at pace, leader from day one and just a great clubman all round! I wish you all the best in your 100, I canāt wait to run out with you! Love ya
Jack Coghlan
One word to describe our captain Schmitty throughout his career - courage! Schmitt is a player the opposition will almost certainly have circled on their whiteboard with a question mark. They cannot match up on him. Whether thatās in the ruck or more recently down back, he is so damaging and consistent each week. To bounce back from the injuries and setbacks heās had and perform like he does is inspiring to the team and thatās what makes him such a great leader. I canāt wait to run out with you this weekend for your 100th game. Congrats Schmitty.
Louis Quin
Itās been a pleasure playing with Schmidty over the course of his first 100 games. Undoubtedly of the most courageous and toughest players I know, he puts his body on the line every week which has most likely contributed to the reason itās taken him so long to reach this milestone. A fantastic ruckman and dare I say even better key position back, heās also just an all-round great leader of the club and top bloke. Love running out onto the park with you each week mate, letās just make sure to stay on opposite ends of the ground for this one. Congrats on 100 games!
Zach Quin
The big Schmidt.
One of the most fearless blokes Iāve played with. Schmidt is always ready to put his body on the line for the team and as a result has copped some pretty nasty injuries over the years.
To reach 100 games is a great story of resilience and work ethic, especially now getting back into your prime form. Just keep well clear of Zac Quin.
Schmidt is the ultimate clubman and his willingness to step up into leadership roles, coaching and committee work rounds him out into just an absolute legend of the footy club. I canāt speak enough on the consistent effort this bloke puts into the team and the club as a whole.
Well done mate, keen to run out with you on the weekend šŖ
Love Casey Barbz #3
Congratulations Schmidtty! Awesome achievement mate. Credit to your resilience and ability. Great leader on and off the field. Pleasure playing down back with you the last few years, go hard this weekend mate!
James Stolz
Congrats on 100 games Schmidty. From playing junior footy together at Everton, itās been a great journey to see you turn into a star of the senior competition. A highly respected clubman off the field, someone who leads from the front and never takes a backward step. Can always rely on you to clunk the footy down back and send it back up to us forwards! Letās make it a win in the milestone this weekend skip!
Jasper Craven
Yet another Everton Wolf chalks up the ton!
Since debuting alongside you in 2017, itās been a pleasure to see you fill your resumĆ© the way you have over the past 10 years.
You bring so much to the footy club, both on and off the field.
You havenāt taken the easy route to 100 games, with your persistence and determination clearly one of your strongest traits - Iāve always admired that.
Press Red for Schmidt!
Eat āem alive out there!
Xavier Craven #4
Congratulations Schmidty! An awesome milestone which is so great to see you achieve, especially following recent injuries and setbacks over the last few seasons. I think it is a great representation of character in how you have persevered in the challenges you faced to reach this famous achievement and I am so stoked to see you get there. It has been so great to work closely alongside you over the past 2 or so years, and I have taken a lot as a leader, footballer and clubman from someone like you who bleeds black and gold. Your ongoing contribution to the club isnāt defined by this gameās milestone, however it makes it ever so impactful and special to those around you who get to celebrate it with you. Thank you and good luck on Saturday!
Ryan Doolan
It has been an honour to play alongside Big Schmidt and itās awesome to see him finally tick off this milestone, with injury the only thing stopping this from happening much earlier. Schmidtty is one of the more courageous players Iāve played alongside. He has played in every key position on the ground and been one of the best players in the comp in each line. His move to Centre Half Back has been a masterstroke and his ability to intercept everything that comes his way is so important for us. From one former ruckman to another, I wish Schmidt all the best in game 100 and hope for a result that sees him into another Grand Final!
Zac McLean