You'd be hard-pressed to find a rugby league coach with more passion than Wellington's Graham Blackhall.
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Overcome with emotion in the wake of a 34-24 Maas Western Young League elimination finals loss to Bathurst St Pat's, the leader spoke about what Cowboys football means to him and how proud he is of his players and what they've achieved in 2020.
Blackhall also addressed the new lease on life he's got nowadays after being involved in serious car crash in the past that acted as an eye-opening experience for the long-time Wellington leader.
"I've had a car accident and it's really made me appreciate and focus on giving back in life," he said.
"I've played football all my life in Wellington, I've coached first grade and reserve grade and it's just a club you always want to be there with.
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"From the least popular player to the most popular player, we don't put anyone on a pedestal... we're all the same."
A coach's influence on a playing group is always pivotal to its success but Blackhall emphasised how much of the team's progression is due to the sheer commitment shown by everyone on the team.
"It's like a family that we're part of, here," he said.
"Everyone always comes to training and is positive and it just really motivates you to be there.
"These boys show the true quality and nature of a football team."
The Cowboys' won't deny the fact that they were underdogs coming into Saturday's clash with Bathurst Pat's - the side that's widely considered the best in the competition.
But, that didn't stop them from clawing back every time the blue and whites went ahead. It seemed like every time Tyler Colley or Ash Cosgrove made a statement play, Rylee Blackhall or Quincy Ross fired back with one of their own.
And it was no surprise that the duo stepped up when the whips were cracking as they're part of the four-man leadership group Blackhall put together at the club in the lead-up to the season.
Elijah Collis and David West are the other two marquee men at the Cowboys and Blackhall gave all four a pat on the back after the match.
"Individually, Rylee's leadership always stands up," he said.
"Quincy at second row... a lot of people don't give him the acknowledgement for his talent. He shows the leadership and he shows that he's sort of a big brother to the other boys.
"Dave is a year younger and he's come through even though he's had a lot of setbacks in his life but he's stepped up to show what quality standard he's at.
"My little mate, little Elijah here. He's a little jack of all trades. He springs things around and it just showed.
"And overall, the boys brought a lot of contributions but having a core leadership with these boys... they all rose to the occasion."
Sunday's loss at Wade Park spells an end to the campaign for the Cowboys after they showed plenty of promise in what was a unique competition for the region.