Jack Hingert is set to celebrate his 250th Isuzu UTE A-League match on Saturday afternoon against Wellington Phoenix.
It’s a feat that has only been achieved by 18 other players including former teammate Matt McKay (272) as well as current squad member Scott Neville (275).
The 32-year-old has put his longevity in Australia’s top division for the last 14 seasons down to self-belief and a positive mindset in a career that has brought him the highest honours and crumbling lows.
“A football career is not easy. Week to week you go through so many emotions…I think people don’t realise the mental side is such an important side of it,” Hingert said.
“You got to be resilient in this type of career so having that mindset, confidence and belief goes a long way,” he added.
Hingert’s journey began when he signed with North Queensland Fury as an 18-year-old.
As the 2009/10 season got underway, a young Hingert was on the starting XI as a left back for the Fury’s first-ever A-League match.
It is a moment he still remembers to this day.
“I was quite nervous. It feels like it was forever ago, and it was,” said Hingert, who played a full 90 minutes.
“Back then you don’t even think about how many games you’ll play… but looking back on it now, I’m lucky to have such longevity in my career because it doesn’t happen too often.
“I’m definitely proud and have worked hard in my career to get to this point, hopefully, there is still more to come,” he added.
Hingert played 27 games across two seasons for Fury before the club folded.
Just like that, Hingert thought he was back to square one, left without an A-League club for the 2011-12 season. However, despite the roadblock, he was determined to make it back to the top.
“I thought to myself, ‘I’m going to be back into the A-League’, I’m going to get back to playing professionally again’,” Hingert recalled.
“I don’t think I worried too much because I had that mindset where I had that belief and confidence in myself to get another contract.”
While playing for Dandenong Thunder in the Victorian Premier League, Hingert received a call from Brisbane Roar championship-winning coach Ange Postecoglu.
It was an opportunity Hingert snapped up, and 12 seasons later he hasn’t looked back.
Hingert is the only member of the current playing crop who was part of Roar’s last Championship-winning side in 2014 – unfortunately, he didn’t play in the Grand Final – and has played a whopping 222 games for the club across Isuzu UTE A-League.
“My experience playing with the club, connecting with the Brisbane community and fans is something that is a big part of my life,” he said.
“It’s had a massive impact on me and my family… I think it’s taught me a lot about myself, not only football but outside of football.”
The Roar will be looking to bounce back from their mid-week loss to Perth Glory on Saturday when they host Wellington Phoenix at Kayo Stadium.
Sitting fifth on the ladder with just two losses from 12 games – one of the best records in the competition, the Roar have been dubbed the dark horses of the league.
However, there has always had a strong belief within the team that they could go far this season.
“A lot of people wrote us off and didn’t believe in us at the start of the season, we kind of flew under the radar but now people are starting to take us a bit more seriously so that’s going to be another challenge in itself,” Hingert said.
“We’ve always believed, and now I think other people are starting to believe in us.”
Brisbane Roar will face Wellington Phoenix on Saturday afternoon at Kayo Stadium. Get your tickets HERE.
