WARRNAMBOOL captain Dustin McCorkell can claim considerably more than a leading role in his team's narrow preliminary final victory on Saturday at Friendly Societies' Park.
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As he praised McCorkell's contribution on and off the field, coach Scott Carter revealed a special link between the pair.
"He's the guy who got me back involved in coaching," Carter said.
"I was going to have two years off after coaching East (Warrnambool).
"It was in his second year as coach at Warrnambool in 2008."
Carter was convinced to take on a match-day role with Adam Dowie under McCorkell, before becoming an assistant to Dowie in 2009-10, then filling the position of head coach this season.
McCorkell's leadership has played a significant role in Warrnambool's progress under Carter, both with his consistent form as a goalkicking onballer and keeping his young teammates focused between games.
"He's had a fantastic season," Carter said.
"He had a super game today.
"He's just a cool head. He's a very good driver in heavy traffic."
McCorkell started on the ball for Warrnambool alongside ruckman Rhys Raymond, Josh Walters and Adam McCorkell.
In a game where only 16 goals were scored ? 8.16 (64) to 8.14 (62) ? his ability to push forward and make an impact on the scoreboard in the first and second quarters was invaluable.
McCorkell praised the roles of his fellow onballers, who included cousins Adam and Damien McCorkell, Walters, Lachie Barr, Angus Chirnside and Colby Rix.
"I thought everyone did their jobs," he said.
"Every time we play Koroit it's tough contested footy."
Warrnambool also had to be conscious at the stoppages of Koroit's onball guns Simon O'Keefe, Ben Goodall and Joe McLaren, McCorkell said.
Preparing for his fourth consecutive grand final appearance with the Blues, the 31-year-old skipper said rival South Warrnambool deserved to be favourite. "With grand finals it comes down to a lot of contests," he said.
"Every contest is crucial and you can't afford to lose concentration.
"We just have to match their pressure."