Scott Fox knows he's closer to his final season than he is his first and that's one of the many reasons Saturday night's Western Premier League grand final win meant so much to Dubbo FC star.
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A stalwart of the club for more than a decade, Fox proved he's still one of finest players in the region by scoring a double and leading the Bulls to a 2-1 decider victory over Macquarie United at Apex Oval.
Both of Fox's goals were headed efforts coming off pinpoint crosses from left-back Dom Ambler, a combination of the old and new at the west's most successful side.
Saturday night's grand final was the Bulls' 11th straight in all competitions and the significance of that wasn't lost on Fox.
When the final whistle sounded he made his way to the sideline to embrace his father and a jubilant group of Bulls fans.
"It was a bit emotional, to be honest," Fox said.
"I ran to crowd and saw my Dad. It was a big thing for him too so it was emotional and a lot of relief but a lot of joy.
"We put a lot of pressure on ourselves throughout the week and Macquarie is a good side and we were up against it, especially in that last half hour or so, and it made the win even sweeter."
While Bulls reigned supreme again, the decider was an outstanding advertisement for the game in the western area.
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Macquarie were gallant in defeat and still attacked the Bulls despite playing more than half the match a man down after Justin Pickering received two yellow cards in the first 45 minutes.
Fox had opened the scoring inside 10 minutes, a looping header going up and over the reach of Macquarie keeper Tim Duggan.
The Bulls dominated the opening period of the game and went close to a second but the minor premiers regrouped and were soon level when Brad Matiuscenko found himself unmarked at the back post and slotted the ball home.
That kicked Macquarie into action but their attacking raids took a hit just before the break as Pickering was shown a second yellow for bringing down Bulls' James Leonard.
The youthful Macquarie held firm in the second half as coach Paul Crain and assistant Alan Auld changed shape and tactics but as time went on the Bulls started to gain the upper hand.
And entering the final quarter of the match Ambler again delivered a perfect cross from just inside the Macquarie half and Fox was there again to nod home.
"It was perfect. Right on the noggin," Fox said with a smile.
"Dom Ambler was a fringe first grader the last couple of years and he's just muscled his way into the side. 'Schinky' (coach Jason Schink) had him on the bench at the start of the year but he was too good not to put in there.
"He's been banging in goals this season and providing assists like that so a big shout out goes to him.
"For me personally, I'm at a stage where I don't know how much longer I've got so to see these young fellas come through and to help try and instill some values in them is a proud moment."
The Macquarie players were understandably hurting after the final whistle but Crain and his troops still had a huge amount to be proud of this year after playing some of the best football seen in the competition on the way to claiming the minor premiership.
"We've really got nothing to be upset about," Crain said.
"The result is not what we wanted but to dig in for 10 men for that long and I think there were some questionable decisions that went against us.
"But I'm very proud of the boys and the way they dug in. We stuck it to them and had our chances and we'll be back to try and beat them again next year."
While Fox was the match winner there was strong performances throughout the Bulls side.
The ability of Fox and Kobe Rapley to slow play in the middle of the field and then set their side up was key for Bulls against the young and energetic Macquarie side while Gareth Williams was lively up front and Leonard was again a rock in the centre of defence.
Will Grant never stopped working for Macquarie and popped up on both sides of the field while also helping out in defence following Pickering's sending off while Matiuscenko dictated play for his side before being substituted in the second half.