After Echuca spearhead Ruory Kirkby was called on to the podium to accept the Wilf Cox medal, he pointed to the sky.
He was pointing to his dad, watching over Deakin Reserve from above.
“He was my biggest supporter and he’d be so proud today,” an emotional Kirkby said.
“He loved footy, he loved me, he loved watching me play and he’d be looking down on me today. It’s overwhelming.”
Heading down to watch the Murray Bombers was something the two would do together, and the Kirkbys watched Echuca’s last flag in 2002 side by side.
But Kirkby senior died 18 months before he got the chance to see his son named best-on-ground after a four-goal effort in the club’s next flag.
“He’d be super proud,” Kirkby said.
“To be a part of it 20 years on is really special. That was our outing together, watching them play.”
Kirkby said the focus on being a family club was what made the premiership win so special.
“I started my football journey at this footy club 25 years ago and went away for 10 years and then came back when (Walker) did,” he said.
“I came back because the same people are at this place, they’re the platform and the pillars that hold the club together.”
He said the whole club training together, from under-16s all the way through to seniors, and bringing in supporters of all stripes was what made the side great.
Kirkby adored the green-and-white army who made the trek to Deakin Reserve to watch the Murray Bombers fend off a dogged and determined Euroa in the 11.12 (78) to 10.6 (66) win, despite the Magpies hitting the front with less than 10 minutes to go.
“You get some momentum up early and as an old fella you get a bit of the belief, but I couldn’t do it without the boys kicking it to me and feeding it to me,” he said.
“When they hit the front, you don’t want to think those thoughts but we were flat and our backs were against the wall.
“We could have put them to bed but we didn’t and they’re the sort of team they are, they pushed us to the line.
“Jacko Stewart’s goal changed the momentum and then we got our mojo back.”
The long-awaited premiership could well mark the perfect end to Kirkby’s career.
“I’m getting to the twilight now, did the knee a few years ago and at this age (mid-30s) you always have to ask the question, but the way we play and move the ball probably helps me,” the spearhead said.
“I want to retire but it makes it hard when you win them. I’ve never won one personally.
“I haven’t thought about what I’ll do, but what will be, will be when the dust settles in a few weeks.”