Nick Dunford is ready to lace up the boots again for his fifth season at Great Western, as the Mininera and District Football League gets under way on Saturday.
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The 2018 club best and fairest has endured some tough times at the Lions but has stuck through when many could have walked away.
Voted the best under-21 player in previous seasons, the midfielder said 2019 has been a great pre-season and build up to the first game.
"We've been training, as usual, our two nights a week and putting in some outside training," he said.
"I've been training myself five nights a week to get my fitness and strength up to help do my bit to try to take the club forward.
"This season my aim is to keep improving - nothing happens in one year but as long as there is forward momentum that's all you can hope for."
Despite heavy recruiting in the off-season, including high profile midfield players, Dunford isn't put off by the standard of players coming into the side.
"It makes you try harder and strive to perform for your position," he said.
"If you know people are coming in that can play in the same position as you it makes you train harder.
"It also helps with depth within the team. Last season we had a pretty good side but suffered injuries early in the season.
"This year we are going to have a lot more depth which is exciting to be a part of and watch how far we can go."
Dunford has travelled across the region with football, beginning his career at Stawell, playing two years of juniors at Ararat then travelling out to Tatyoon to play.
"I then came back to Ararat before heading out to Great Western," he said.
"I came to be at Great Western after a few mates and I, who were all playing at different clubs, decided to come and play here.
"I really haven't looked back since."
Great Western entered into recession in 2011. The years following to rebuild the club were tough on the players going large lengths of time without winning a game.
This was something Dunford said didn't worry him when he signed up to join two years after.
"It was tough at the beginning - but we've been improving every year since I've been here," he said.
"I guess that's all you can ask for really and this year is looking even better and only going to get better.
"It's the people around the club as well, I really love it here."
Dunford's Lions have a tough round one task, hosting Lismore-Derrinallum this weekend.
It will be a grand final rematch further south, with reigning premiers Wickliffe-Lake Bolac hosting Tatyoon.
Ararat Eagles travel to play Hawkesdale-Macarthur, SMW Rovers hosts Woorndoo-Mortlake, Moyston-Willaura is at home against Penshurst and Caramut will play Glenthompson-Dunkeld.
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