Bacchus Marsh defender Daniel Velden knows all about the lows in football.
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He had to wait until the twilight of his career to play in his first final last year.
If that was not enough, two finals later he was celebrating the thrill of having played in the Cobras’ first Ballarat Football League premiership.
So after the longest of waits, the 250-game veteran is finally getting to enjoy the highs and making the most of it.
Velden, 32, said it was amazing what a difference the success of last season had made at the club.
He said he had always enjoyed playing with the Cobras – the reason he had stayed on despite doing it tough on the field.
Velden said it had always been about playing with mates he had either shared a football journey with or seen come through the junior and senior pathway at Maddingley Park
While the mateship remains unchanged – possibly tighter than ever – the premiership and leadership of coach Travis Hodgson had added a whole new dimension to the main focus of playing football.
Velden said there had been an uncertainty for the Cobras as they ventured through last season. “Could we make it (to finals).”
He said it was much different now.
“Obviously our goals are much higher.
“There’s a real confidence. It’s not arrogance. “We never go out thinking we’re over the line. We each have a role and if we carry them out we believe we’ll win.”
There is no surprise that Veldon has enormous respect for coach Travis Hodgson.
He said Hodgson he was great people manager.
“Everyone has enormous respect for him.
“There’s an aura about him,” Velden said.
Velden lines up for his 251st senior game for Bacchus Marsh against East Point at the Eastern Oval on Saturday, a visit which is sure to stir memories of the last time the Cobras were at the ground - last year’s grand final.