Former co-captain Luke Duncan spent 2017 on the sidelines recovering from a hip injury but has played in both the Parrots’ wins this season, lining up in the new territory of Bridgenorth’s forward line.

The 30-year-old has won three best and fairests since joining from North Launceston in 2009, yet it’s neither individual accolades nor the 2010 flag that Duncan cherishes most from his decade in the game.  

“I think just growing into a leader and helping out a lot of young blokes and seeing them develop is a bit more of an achievement,” the midfielder said. 

“I think that premiership we won – we thought were were going to win a few more but we lost them instead.”

Duncan returned to Parrot Park in the pre-season alongside good mate Nick McElwee, who missed 2017 with work commitments and will also play his 150^th in the coming weeks.

The pair’s homecoming balanced out the influx of young TSL recruits Zach Griffiths, Jack McCulloch, Morgan Parker, Jack Rowlands and Liam Russell, all of whom have already played senior football this season.

“I think we’re pretty young and inexperienced so we are trying really hard to create a hardworking and professional culture to create some sustained success.

“I think if we put the hard work in off the field we can make finals and give ourselves a chance - I’m probably as confident this year as any year I’ve been there due to the things we are putting in place, the group we have and the feeling around the club.”