BEN Pollock has endured some lean years at Nhill but the loyalty that has underpinned his career will see him play his 200th senior game on Saturday.
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“There were a few times when I talked to other clubs, but I work in town and I live in town so I might as well play footy in town,” he said.
“If everyone left there wouldn’t be a footy club.”
He said the close-knit nature of the club and community made it a great place to be.
“Everyone will come up to you to say g’day and talk about the footy,” he said.
“It’s not like that at some other clubs, but the whole community really gets behind our team.
“We haven’t been going so well for nearly 10 years but everyone is still there each week.”
The 30 year-old is particularly proud of the loyalty he has shown to the club where he started playing football as a junior at the age of seven.
“To be at one club for all these years is pretty special to me,” he said.
“Loyalty has gone a little bit with the money that is floating about so I’m proud of what I’ve been able to do with Nhill.
“It would be a huge highlight if we can get up against the Giants.”
The people he has played alongside as well as a senior Wimmera league grand final appearance have been some of Pollock’s favourite memories.
“I think the biggest moment would have been playing in the 2010 grand final against Horsham,” he said.
“Playing with former AFL players such as Chris Ladhams and Daniel Hargraves was also pretty great.”
He said he always enjoyed talking to club legends Russell Borgelt and Steve Graham because they had so much knowledge to pass on.
“I just really like playing with my mates,” he said.
“It’s also been cool to have players who I have coached in juniors come into the team.”
Pollock has spent the past two seasons helping the under-17 team and previously coached the under-14 team in 2013 alongside Heath Preston.
He said he had enjoyed having Tim Bone back at the club as senior coach this season.
“I think I’m probably one of the only guys in the team that would have played with him before,” he said.
“What he does with the young guys is really good – he’s bought in a new game plan and all we’ve got to do is listen to him and trust that it’s going to work if we stick to it.”
Pollock has only had minor injury concerns during his career and said he will continue playing until his body would not allow him to anymore.
“You get to the end of a footy season and you think it will be good to have a rest,” he said.
“Then two weeks later you’re thinking it would be good to have a kick again.”
