At 21, Nick Perryman has already won two premierships – both with brother Harry.
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In Saturday’s grand final against Griffith, the Collingullie-Glenfield Park co-captain is hoping to share in another success with another brother.
Ed Perryman, 18, has played a dozen games of senior footy and been in their best in half of them.
“It’s been really good,” Nick said of playing with a sibling again. “There’s a few similarities with Harry finishing his last couple of years and the way Ed’s playing at the moment. He’s improved each week and he’s been massive for us since he came in halfway through the year.”
Playing on a wing and occasionally forward, Ed Perryman and fellow under 17 graduates, Blake Harper and Brad McMillan are part of a wider changing of the guard at the Demons who are managing the art of seamless transition and continuing to reach grand finals.
Harry’s gone on to start an AFL career with Greater Western Sydney Giants but will be back at Narrandera on Saturday where the changes at his old club will be apparent.
“We’ve had a few of the younger blokes come up and take the leadership roles – Jayden (Klemke) is co-captain as well and Jimmy Kennedy as assistant coach,” Nick said.
“It’s been good, helping out with the young blokes at the club. And we’ve still got a few of those senior players there like Gep (Marc Geppert) and Kug (Kal Syke) and those blokes.”
As well as being a part of the 2014 and 2015 successes at Collingullie, Nick has seen the other side of grand final day – going down to Coolamon in 2013 and Leeton-Whitton last year.
He said they haven’t spoken much of the loss to the Crows during this year but it doesn’t take much scratching to see that memory remains just below the surface.
“It was just wasted chances and a wasted opportunity. It was only six points,” Nick said.
“This is the fifth grand final I’ve played in. I’ve lost two and won two. It’s just a long time once you lose it. It’s a long time til next year.”
This is the first time he’s gone into a decider with the week off and Perryman says they’re well-prepared. But he also knows they’ll need to be if they’re to bring down Griffith for a second time in a fortnight.
The Swans were undefeated during the home-and-away season and will take some stopping.
“It’s going to be a team effort because they’ve got seven or eight really good, really quick players so you can't really just put a couple of match ups on,” he said.
“You’ve got to stop the half-back line and really watch the (Jordan) Iudicas, the (Ben) Kings, the (Will) Griggs, Guy Orton.”