Nirranda stalwart Luke Parsons says his good friend Peter McDowall knows how to deal with the pressure of a grand final.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
McDowall will notch up his 250th club game when his Blues take on Kolora-Noorat in the Warrnambool and District league decider on Saturday at Reid Oval.
Parsons, who has played with McDowall for most of his career, said they had fond memories of the Blues' 2016 premiership win against Old Collegians.
"When you win it with a good mate like that, there's no doubt it means a lot," he said.
READ MORE:
Parsons, the Blues' current reserves playing coach, said he and McDowall had been through the club's good times and hard times.
"We did it bloody tough, we used to get flogged from week to week," he said.
Parsons said he and McDowall started out as kids playing seniors in key-position spots.
"We grew up learning footy the hard way," he said.
But the loyal Blues were patient and shared one of the club's finest moments.
The Blues became the first side in 26 years to take out the senior grand final from fifth place after defeating the Warriors.
"Well that was the greatest day ever, it meant everything," Parsons said.
He said it was great to share it with McDowall because they have a strong friendship outside of football.
They water-ski together and have family farms just kilometres from the Nirranda Recreation Reserve.
Parsons described his mate as a "real competitor" on the football field who thrives on the contest.
Nirranda co-coach Shane Threlfall agrees.
"Peter's greatest strength is his ability to compete in the contest and he also hits targets with his hands and feet," he said.
Threlfall said McDowall was a popular and well-respected member of the club.
"Pete is the heart and soul of Nirranda, he's been here all of his career," he said.
Threlfall said the 2016 and 2018 premiership captain was a phenomenal leader.
He said the onballer led by example on the track and on the ground.
"The boys absolutely love him, he's a very popular figure," he said.
"He's a great leader of men."
Threlfall said that when McDowall speaks his teammates listen.
McDowall was captain until the end of the 2018 season.
James Willsher took on the role this year.
Threlfall said McDowall's leadership was crucial when Nirranda brought recruits to its club in 2016.
He said McDowall was one of the local lads who helped the new-look side gel together.
This season Nirranda has used McDowall through the midfield and in the back line.
Threlfall said they had used him in match-up roles down back.
The Blues mentor said McDowall's performance against Old Collegians in round 13 this season was the best he had seen him play.
The gun onballer was named best on ground in the seven-point victory.
Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.
