Tom Ross says the Gungahlin Eagles transcend your average football club. For this rising front-rower, they are "a family".
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That is why he raced to Nicholls Oval and unlocked the change rooms early on game day to pull out four club-branded caps with an eye on building a new Eagles tradition.
That is why he churned through 86 minutes to help a 14-man Gungahlin outfit pull off a thrilling 29-26 win over the Tuggeranong Vikings to open their John I Dent Cup campaign at Viking Park on Saturday.
Alex Small's match-winning try saw the Eagles erupt to cap off a significant day for the club, which truly started hours earlier when ACT Brumbies youngster Ross phoned club general manager Trent Pollard with a question.
"Mate, how many people have played first grade for the Eagles?"
Pollard spent an hour trawling through spreadsheets to find every first grade-capped player in the club's 52-year history. The final number was 510.
Ross drove to Nicholls Oval on his own accord and pulled out four Eagles caps - one for each debutant set to face Tuggeranong later that day. For him, it was time to start a tradition.
"Two weeks ago I got my Brumbies cap and it meant the world to me," Ross said.
"Just that little number on the side, it meant I mattered and I was one of them. I wanted to bring the same kind of culture into Eagles.
"We are a family, we are a club, and it stretches back 52 years. We want to respect that. You get your number, you’re part of the family."
Tristan Stanley, Jahrome Brown, Tamati Ioane and Joel Atkins all got their numbers in a dream welcome to the family, and other players past and present will soon be given caps of their own.
But the day wasn't without its ups and downs in a clash filled with Brumbies talent. Eagles outside centre Matt Hawke was sent off in the 55th minute for striking Len Ikitau, while front-rower Ray Dobson was nursing a broken rib.
Darcy Swain seemingly securing the points for Tuggeranong when he scored late in the contest to kickstart a bumper week in which he is expected to pen a contract extension with the Brumbies.
Thus the stage was set. Down by four inside the final four minutes, Gungahlin were crying out for a hero and a late penalty gave them one more shot.
Ross had one thing going through his mind when the clock hit zero - "just don't stop, keep those legs pumping" - and minutes later Small crashed over on the back of a maul to gift Gungahlin a memorable triumph.
"It’s been a while since the Eagles have put one on top of Vikings, it’s been a long time coming," Ross said.
"They’re a quality side, they’re always tough to play. The last two outings against them have proved that. It meant a lot to the fans and also the old boys that came out. We’ve lost plenty of games against the Vikings, so it was pretty good to get one for them.
"It’s been pretty full on [since making my Brumbies debut]. You’ve still got to keep your feet on the ground and appreciate every minute you get.
"I still can’t believe I’ve even got on for the Brums and it’s still surreal to me. Any minutes I get are a blessing. Even playing for the Eagles, any minute I get is beautiful."
While the defending champions suffered a first-up defeat, the team they toppled in the decider started their season with a bang as the Canberra Royals beat the Queanbeyan Whites 23-10 at Campese Oval.
AT A GLANCE
John I Dent Cup round one: GUNGAHLIN EAGLES 29 (Joel Atkins, Jahrome Brown, Mack Hansen, Alex Small tries; Wharenui Hawera three conversions; Hawera penalty) bt TUGGERANONG VIKINGS 26 (Ryan Lonergan, Michael Oakman-Hunt, Ernest Suavai, Darcy Swain tries; Ryan Lonergan three conversions) at Viking Park.
CANBERRA ROYALS 23 bt QUEANBEYAN WHITES 10 at Campese Oval.
