EMERGING North Warrnambool Eagles leader Jackson Grundy says a strong bond between the playing group is driving them to play their best football.
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The Eagles have lost just one game this season and sit in third behind fellow premiership fancies Koroit and South Warrnambool.
Grundy and his Eagles teammates are eager to continue their winning form when they play Terang Mortlake this Saturday.
The utility said the culture the Eagles have built in recent years has been a key factor in their strong form not just this year but also in an impressive run to a Hampden league grand final in 2019.
"We are all good mates and get together on weekends and hang out," the 20-year-old said.
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"We have a heap of fun at training whilst also being super serious. Everyone keeps each other on their toes but we still have heaps of fun too.
"If you look at our side everyone is pretty much from Warrnambool or Bushfield and have pretty much known each other for years. Everyone has come through the juniors pretty well."
Grundy, who is in the Eagles' leadership group for the first time this season, said coach Adam Dowie had also made a big impact on the group.
"He is unreal. He has helped everyone so much since he came here and the work he does behind the scenes is unreal," he said.
"He is awesome for the under 16s and 18.5s. He makes them feel at home so they are comfortable coming into the side and to step up."
Grundy said having young players like himself in the Eagles' leadership group made it easier for his new teammates to settle into the side.
"It is easier for them to approach someone younger like me but other than that everyone is mates," he said.
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The second-year apprentice boiler maker, who works for John Houston Engineering, said he was enjoying being part of the Eagles' leadership group.
"Not much has changed, everything is the same it's just more so I'm one of the younger ones learning for the future," he said.
"Everything is the same it's just about being more vocal and getting around the younger boys and that keeps them there."
Grundy, who has played seven games in his third season of seniors, said he had been happy with his start to the year but was "not over the moon" about it.
"I'm not killing games but I'm doing enough to stay in there," he said. "I have played everywhere on the ground. Mainly through the midfield and swapping down back or forward if someone gets hurt.
"I'm happy with that as I like playing whatever as long as I'm out there.
"I'm settling slowly (into senior football) still and I'm not dominating games but I'm feeling more comfortable with every game I play."
The Eagles welcome back former AFL player Billie Smedts, important defender Tom Batten (hamstring) and Lewis Holland for the clash against the Bloods at Terang.
Ben Kenna's side is eighth on the ladder with two wins and five defeats so far this season.
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