Two country Australian rules football players have entered the history books on the same weekend in Victoria, each reaching a millennial milestone many years in the making.
Both men kicked their 1,000th senior goal last weekend.
It is believed fewer than two dozen players have achieved the same feat in senior regional Victorian competitions.
Port Fairy full forward Jason Rowan is said to be the second player in the history of the Hampden Football Netball League to reach that record, and it took him 20 years.
"There was a lot of outside noise coming into the game. I only needed one goal," Rowan told ABC Statewide Drive.
"It's definitely something that I'll sit back when my footy days are done and dusted and be very proud of being able to achieve that."
Rowan said sharing the moment with young players and fans was a highlight.
"It really meant a lot to me, just seeing so many young kids wanting to get out there and give me a pat on the back," he said.
Tiny town keeps spirit strong
More than 500km away, southern New South Wales player Chase Strawhorn kicked his 1,000th goal on the same weekend.
He plays in the Picola and District Football Netball League, which spans southern New South Wales and northern Victoria.
His Rennie clubmates were ecstatic.
"They actually bowled me over and got me on the ground and jumped on me," Strawhorn said.
Rennie is a town of 31 people spread across 16 households, according to the latest census, with a median age of 50.
The small town's football club fields five football teams, with players travelling from surrounding towns to join the side.
"It's a credit to the old locals out there that keep the joint going," Mr Strawhorn said.
Turning around fortunes
The milestones come at a time when some regional sports clubs are struggling to keep competition alive due to a shortage of players and volunteers.
Jason Rowan's first senior football game was for Warrnambool in 2003, and last year he made the switch to Port Fairy to help turn the struggling club's fortune around.
"To be able to bring a team back from having to forfeit a game and struggle for numbers, I just really got itchy feet in going down that path," Rowan said.
Rowan's Port Fairy side snapped a two-year losing streak at last weekend's match.
"There were so many mixed emotions," he said.
"So much joy on not only the footballers faces as we went in the rooms, but to see so many supporters and the whole community rally behind us.
"Hopefully, my leadership and my knowledge, what I know about the game, I can pass on and teach the younger brigade."
He said his success was a team effort.
"There have been so many people along my journey so far that I really want to be able to share this moment with and feel that they take a little bit of what I've been able to achieve individually," Rowan said.
Two 100-goal seasons to boot
Chase Strawhorn, or Strawny to his friends, has been playing senior country football for 16 years and has had two 100-goal seasons in that time.
His sporting career started at Yarrawonga, and he has had stints at Jerilderie and Mulwala along the way.
He was described by Rennie club stalwart Kevin Hanson as "an undersized full forward with immense strength and an insane understanding of the drop of the ball".
"He joins a revered but small group of about 20 others who have achieved this feat in Country Vic footy," Mr Hanson said.
Strawhorn said it was the spirit of veteran Rennie club members that kept him going.
"I just love the old people, especially down at Rennie, the old people around the club are amazing," he said.
"They just get me up every week."
Now that his kids are growing up, he envisions them picking up the ball next.
"I'd love to play with them one day. It would be ideal," Strawhorn said.
"I don't think my body's going to make it, though!"
