Not all heroes wear capes. Fewer still, these days, are found with a cigarette and beer in hand outside the dressing rooms as the celebrations continue within.
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Brenton Roberts would prefer the limelight also stayed away - and was quick to deflect attention elsewhere after East Wagga-Kooringal's qualifying final comeback against Marrar on Saturday.
But the Hawks' games-record holder had just delivered again for his club, kicking four goals after being called up for his first senior game of the year.
With star goalkicker Chris Ladhams unavailable due to a new job, Roberts came into the forward line for his 248th first grade game for EWK. And the old number 41 went one-up on their new number 40 (Ladhams kicked three goals against Marrar last time).
"He was fantastic. We were hoping Brenton would come in and have that effect on the group," EWK coach Matt Hard said.
"Bringing him in for his first game of the year in a final, he's a club stalwart, so it was very pleasing to see him come in, stand up and have that sort of game."
Roberts kicked the first of the Hawks' goals in the second quarter, as they mounted a comeback from 24 points down.
He also kicked two in five minutes in the third quarter - making it three of EWK's eight unanswered - and got himself in space again at the start of the fourth quarter for one more to get the Hawks out to an unbeatable 28-point advantage.
"I played alright," Roberts said.
"I was a bit scratchy. I was a bit under the pump. I probably could've marked a few more."
Roberts said he was a little surprised to get the call-up, given some of the promising youth at the club, but his sole goal was to play his part and do what the coach asked.
"Just get out there and play my role, enjoy myself," he said.
"We'll see what happens going forward. Obviously we get Chris back next week so we'll see."
The Hawks should also have Daniel Hitchens available this week while Myles Carroll could potentially be in the mix, depending on his recovery from a shoulder injury.
Roberts said he was just rapt to see the team put together a more complete performance.
"I think they've been playing alright footy, but we're just playing in patches instead of four quarters," he said.
"But I think the boys have all got it in them to do it. We'll see."
Roberts broke Barry Suckling's club record at Marrar last year but injured an ankle in his 244th game. He returned for the last three games of the season, including their two finals last year.
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