Not for the first time, the tight-knit Bacchus Marsh Cobras will rally around one of its own when Liam Duggan steps out for West Coast in the AFL grand final against Collingwood.
Ten of Duggan’s family will cheer in the stands and hundreds of Bacchus Marsh locals are expected to gather around a big screen to watch the game at the local footy club’s oval where their hero grew up playing from the age of 10.
The club are already winners — a reserves side captained by Chris Suban, the cousin of former Fremantle Docker and Cobra Nick Suban, won the premiership last weekend.
Duggan was part of an emotional flag for the club in 2011 when his friend and teammate Nathan Prince collapsed during a game and died less than a fortnight before a surprise grand final victory over an undefeated North Ballarat.
The team was coached by AFL legend Doug Hawkins, who described the win as his greatest moment in the game.