The 2013 premiership player, who will reach the 100-game milestone on Saturday, is considered one of the Hampden league club’s hardest workers.

First-year coach O’Brien said the tenacious Turland eptiomised the traits it takes to become an established senior footballer.

“He’s a very dedicated trainer and is starting to develop his leadership around the club too,” he said.

“He was voted into the leadership group this year.

“He sets an excellent example in all aspects of his football really.”

Turland, 22, said he was humbled to notch 100 games with Warrnambool – a club his family has strong family ties to. His brothers Jed and Beau will play alongside him against North Warrnambool Eagles at Bushfield Recreation Reserve, while younger sibling Noah will line up in the under 18s.

The concreter is also related to the O’Keeffes and the McCorkells.

“It’s a great honour. A lot of my cousins and uncles have all played footy at Warrnambool,” he said.

Turland, who is playing a midfield-forward role for the Blues, rated his form “a bit below average”.

“In recent years I’ve had a slow start and in the second half of the year, I’ve found form,” he said.

“I enjoy playing midfield. I want to get in and under and at the same time use my foot speed and deliver into the forward line. I want to get one or two goals a game.”

Warrnambool and North Warrnambool Eagles will enter their round six clash searching for their first wins of the season.

“The club is struggling at 0-5 but there’s been good signs,” Turland said.

“We’ve had 10-minute periods where we’ve had lapses and the games have slipped away from us.”

Turland could come up against emerging Eagle Sam James in the midfield battle.

“It (playing inside mid) has got its challenges, obviously coming up against the best sides with good players but I am really loving it and enjoying it,” James said.

“All the senior boys have been helping me out throughout the game.”

James, 19, and twin brother Tom are working together in the Eagles’ engine room.

“Living at home (together) it’s pretty easy to get along with him on the footy field – it makes it easier, we don’t have too many arguments,” he said. “He’s a left-footer, I’m a right-footer.”