Tim Hunter has kicked more goals that any other player in the Central West AFL senior competition this season, but the Bathurst Bushrangers Outlaws full forward would trade every single all of them to hoist the trophy on Saturday.
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Hunter heads into Saturday’s grand final against the Orange Tigers with 43 majors to his name, the Broken Hill-native an undeniable threat inside 50 – he has been for some time.
Yet for Hunter, who booted a remarkable 112 goals in 13 games in 2014, a premiership would mean more than any leading goal kicker award.
A lot more.
“I think we’d all trade any sort of personal accolades for the premiership, we’re not there for anything individual we want that premiership success,” Hunter said.
“I played in 2010 and 11 and we played in grand finals then and lost both times to Cowra. I came back in 2014 and we lost the grand final and I left and came back again last year.
“So I’ve played in four [grand finals] all up, this will be my fifth crack at it, so hopefully this one will be a successful.”
While Hunter undoubtedly has the potential to be a match-winner, he is by no means the only Outlaw able to take a grab and find the target.
Cameron Richards (34), Kaleb Crowhurst (24), Matt Archer (19) and Nathan Swards (17) have also enjoyed success this season.
“It’s been good, obviously that [kicking goals] is part of my role within the team, but again, we’ve got a fairly even spread up there in the forward line this year,” Hunter said.
“We don’t have just one target to kick to – we’ve got Cam Richards, Kaleb Crowhurst, Nathan Swards, they’ve all chipped in with a few goals here and there which is fantastic.
“It has been a major strength of our side, we are not relying on one person to kick a score, we are working on everyone doing their job and chipping in.”
That team philosophy is not one restricted to the Outlaws’ forward line. Hunter said having every member of the squad perform to their potential is what has earned them a spot in the grand final.
“Everyone has to do their job,” he said.
“With Orange beating us a couple of weeks ago we go in with the underdog tag, but there is plenty of belief.”