Josh Nunn bleeds red and white in his veins, but has had a fair share of bad breaks.
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None happened any worse than in Saturday’s final battle.
This break just above his ankle not only ended his year, but the 34-year-old’s playing days at Bracknell and fourth NTFA grand final berth.
“I heard it snap at the time,” Nunn said of the incident.
“I’ve broken them before, both my legs the same way.
“It’s the same feeling, the same sound.
“There was no getting up after that.”
In a manner of heartbreak sadly mirroring the broken collarbone of South Launceston’s Adam Viney, Nunn will get no fairytale farewell.
But unlike Viney, who joined the Bulldogs and built a flag dynasty, Nunn is yet to drink the sweet taste of victory from the premiership cup.
“I was pretty angry at the time,” Nunn admitted.
“I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry – I had many mixed emotions, lying there waiting to get stretchered off.”
After last year’s narrow grand final loss to Saturday’s opponents Rocherlea, Nunn felt this was the Redlegs’ year.
The former coach has put in the hard yards, recounting more than two decades of preseasons at Bracknell to senior debut by the age of 17.
“That’s why I hung around, so it was a pretty disappointing way to finish,” he said.
But Nunn doesn’t won’t wallow in grand final week.
The veteran utility intends to travel the 110km from his Bridport home to watch training this Thursday night.
“I’ve already sent the boys a message to embrace the week,” he said.
“All the pats on the back that come with it, just take it on board; they don’t come all around often.”
He had been considering playing football elsewhere next year, “closer to home” as Nunn puts it.
But his third broken bone in his legs may put paid to those plans.
“I will probably wait until after Christmas, I reckon,” Nunn said.
“See what the motivation is like if when I want to play again.
“I haven’t ever missed a footy season – ever.”