When Drew Olarenshaw hits the ground this Saturday, hell be hitting it hard. And not for the first or last time.

On the eve of his 150th VAFA game, Red Roy spoke to Drews coach and firm football admirer, Bernie Carter.

Drews a hard-working footballer who puts team first and just has a crack all the time,says Bernie.

Hes fantastic around the group, and even though hes not in our leadership group this year, sets the example for other players with his willingness to give 100 per cent 100 per cent of the time./p>

Supporters might not always pick up the finer points of his game, but for teammates and support staff, Drew stands out as an archetypal hard nut the type of footballer every team needs to get to the top and stay there.

Drew works extremely hard for his fellow team mates by doing the 1 percenters which can go unnoticed,says Bernie, but not to the coaching group.

Captain Jack Atkinson, team mate off and on the field since they both graduated from the Under 19s, with whom hes played virtually uninterrupted over the past five years, agrees.

As a footballer, Drew is one of the toughest, hardest blokes on the field,says Jack. He bounces up from hits that would sideline other players.

That said he wouldve played his 150th much sooner if he didn't crack in quite so hard!/p>

For Bernie, its Drews voice and pressure on the opposition that he and his line coaches most credit. And if Drew has an idea or thought on training and game day hes also willing to share that with us.

Again, you get no argument from Jack. On and off the field Drew is a great leader and someone whose advice, especially as a previous captain, Ive really valued this year./p>

For the rest of us, we just hope Drews career is as long and as hard as weve come to admire for so long. And capped off this year with a richly deserved premiership!

Photo: Over 150 hard fought games, Drews never been afraid to get down and dirty. Photograph by Phyllis Quealy