Quitting smoking is easier than quitting football - well that's according to long-serving Stawell Warriors ruckman Shane Field at least.
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'Meggsy' as he is known, has geared up for another season in the red and black, his 12th since making the move to Central Park.
After playing a full season in the senior side last year, Field has taken the step down to the reserves side, juggling his playing commitments with coaching the team.
He said despite being one of the more experienced players in the group he still loves the game.
"I just love the competitive spirit and watching the young kids developing," he said.
"I try to teach them where I can and pass on whatever I know."
Field spent time at various clubs before arriving at Stawell in 2008, including Carisbrook for five years.
He has seen much change since then, with the playing list the thing that has changed the most.
"We have had quite a large turnover in numbers," he said.
"It was hard because there wasn't much work around Stawell and guys who were from Melbourne and Geelong who would travel got sick of it."
Despite the large player turnover, Field said seeing the development of younger players when he arrived into the players they are now is something he believes the club should be proud of.
"In 2013 when I was coaching with Soly (Jamie Solyom) we had players like your Tom Eckels and Jacko Darks who were all 18," he said.
"Those guys have come along and are now leaders in the senior group we have today."
Field played in two preliminary finals since joining the club. He said team success is what continues to drive him.
"The ultimate goal is a premiership - so getting that close was probably a highlight but I wish we could have gone a few steps further," he said.
"We have a pretty good, young group at the moment that I believe is capable of a top three spot.
"We have a a lot of players who are 23, 24 or under. Hopefully they can stick together and that brings success."
Field's on field accolades include a WFL reserves best and fairest and a third place in the Toohey Medal, but he has moved his focus to off-field tasks in recent years.
Working as the club's football manager, Field has played a key role in bringing players to the club.
"It is something I have always been interested with," he said.
"It's satisfying when you bring in someone like Charlie Nield who we have been chasing for a few years or someone of the calibre of Jay Moody or Andrivon.
"I find it is all about time management and communicating well with the coaches, committee and president.
"Luckily we have a tight knit group at committee who work very hard behind the scenes and do a great job."
The 39-year-old played in Stawell's senior side for the whole 2018 season, but has handed the reins over to up and coming big man Aiden Graveson.
Field said there are promising signs with the youngster.
"He has been going quite well. I have been working closely with him over the last six months and he has learnt a lot," he said.
"Once he gets a stronger body and positive feedback he will become a good ruckman for the club."
Field said he hopes to see the club enjoy the ultimate success soon.
"We are making good strides, we just need to keep on going the way we are," he said.
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