Southern Mallee Giants captain Liam Price is one of a strong group of homegrown players driving the Giants' premiership tilt.
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The Giants have reached staggering heights in their short existence, featuring in four grand finals and claiming two premierships in just five seasons.
The success has held greater weight for Price, who's witnessed first-hand the special standing football holds in his hometown of Hopetoun.
"I played the majority of my football at Hopetoun, from juniors through to seniors, and obviously in recent times, after the merger with the Giants," he said.
"We've got lots of players who are locals or who have some connection to the clubs (Hopetoun and Beulah), whether their fathers played here or they've gone away to school and come back.
"I think it's a credit to the history that both clubs have built and also to what the Giants have managed to create in such a short time. It's such a fantastic club that once people have experienced it, they love coming back."
Price said both towns had rallied around the team, as they stand on the verge of a maiden Wimmera Football League premiership.
"I think for a lot of small towns football is the lifeblood of the community, especially with a grand final there's a bit of a buzz at the moment," he said.
"When you think about it, it's more than the 21 players who buy into it. I'm sure there's a lot of excitement and maybe a few nerves as well for everyone in the community."
The Giants came close to a perfect introduction to the league but fell agonisingly short against Horsham in last season's grand final.
"You never want to experience a losing grand final," Price said. "Having won a couple of grand finals in the Horsham District league and then losing that one. It's a feeling you wouldn't want to wish upon anyone.
"To make a grand final in our first year (in the Wimmera league) I think surprised a few. It was a little disappointing not to go on to win it, but at the end of the day, I think we're better off for it.
"It does give you that extra bit of motivation knowing both sides of the coin; with the feeling of winning and the feeling of losing."
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