PANMURE captain Louis Kew never wants to see his teammates' heads drop.
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It's why the helmeted Bulldog always commits to a positive attitude, no matter the position his team is in.
"I suppose I don't mean to do anything different to anyone else I just like to be one of those blokes who is a vocal point in the team and I like to voice my opinions and try bring everyone together," he said.
"The way I see it is it's about positivity and you have to be positive in a team game otherwise 21 other blokes don't see that positive mindset and where they can get it from.
"It's not only on the footy field, if you aren't positive you are not getting the best out of yourself. I try to stay positive no matter what and try to keep that cool head."
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The 22-year-old midfielder was entering his second year as the side's captain before the coronavirus hiatus hit and the Warrnambool and District league decided not to go ahead with season 2020.
But Kew is eager to return next season and continue as a positive captain for the club he played his juniors at.
It's not the first time Kew has captained a Bulldogs side. He was captain in under 14s and under 17s before progressing into the senior ranks.
Kew, who moved back to the club in 2018 after two years with Hampden league club North Warrnambool Eagles, said players like Sam and Paddy Mahony had been big influences on his leadership style.
"They are two blokes I have looked up to and tried to take as much knowledge as they have told me and try to put it into my own perspective," he said.
"They are two blokes who have positive mindsets as well and that runs through a lot of people at Panmure. If you are not positive then no one else is and everyone's heads would then be down.
"There is not too many people who live around Panmure and the footy club is the main thing and when it is up and about, the town is up and about.
"It makes it hard when the team is not going too good but that is when everyone tries to keep positive.
"It helps when we are winning games of footy and netball and then all the supporters come and watch games."
The biggest learning points for the Special Development School teachers' aide was being all ears and remaining true to his personality.
"I learnt to listen to what everyone has to say and because you're captain you need to listen to what others have to say as everyone thinks differently," he said.
"It does end up helping you make connections with everyone. If you don't listen you seem a bit selfish and you want as much help from everyone as possible."
Kew said he was privileged to get the opportunity to become and continue to be the club's senior football leader into the future.
His maiden year as captain saw the Bulldogs return to finals for the first time in five years.
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