When Kolora-Noorat defender Nick Marshall started doing his PhD on the history of football in the south-west region, he probably didn't think he'd be adding his name to the books.
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But on Saturday, he did just that.
Marshall was named the AFL Victoria Country medal winner after being voted best on ground by the umpires in the Warrnambool and District league grand final.
"We all create history every day, this is a massive day for the club and the Power,' he said.
"This community is amazing and we're going to remember this as a community effort."
Marshall, who played in his first senior grand final, has been researching football in the south-west region during the inter-war period (1920s-1940s).
He's due to finish a thesis that is between 60,000 to 100,000 words long.
The backman said the Power put in a great team effort.
"The blokes in the middle really crushed it for us, so a lot of credit to them," he said.
"And a lot of credit to the backs for just holding strong and to the forwards for finishing off."
Meanwhile, Mark Clissold certainly made the right decision to return to the club this season after a year with Terang Mortlake in the Hampden league.
Clissold, a midfielder/half-forward, received the Scotty Stewart Media Award for his best on ground performance.
"It's unreal, you play all year to win a flag," he said.
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Clissold said it was a top effort from the community.
"It's not only a team thing, it's the whole club," he said.
"It's every family, it's every person that's rallied around to get us to where we are now.
"It's not just the players, it's the whole community.
"This one is for them."
Clissold said family drew him back to the club where he has played most of his football.
"Family got me back here. Everyone was playing - my brother, sisters," he said.
Clissold has sisters Sarah, Hannah and brother Tom.
He said his fiancé, Laurie Symons, also played netball for the club.
"It was a really good opportunity to come back," he said.
He said he loved being back at the club.
"You can never get sick of this joint," he said.
"This joint is unbelievable.
"You can't leave it for very long."
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