IF at first you don't succeed, try, try again - it's certainly a proverb that applies to Bathurst Bushrangers talent Bill Watterson.
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After four seasons of coming up short of a Central West AFL premiership medal, on Saturday at George Park 2 Watterson threw everything he had at helping the Bushrangers Rebels beat Orange Tigers on grand final day.
He tried hard in the first half and tried hard again in the second. He booted five majors, won clearances and contested footy, tackled with aggression and ran more meters than he'd care to think about.
It was an effort which not only helped the Rebels to a 9-15-69 to 5-9-39 victory to see him finally get a premiership medal, but Watterson was also the clear choice for best on ground honours.
"It's unbelievable, I'm well and truly overwhelmed," Watterson said.
"Losing four before this probably makes this a little bit sweeter, it's good to finally get over the line."
Watterson's maiden season as a Bushranger in 2015 saw him line up at George Park 2 on grand final day against the Orange Tigers.
But while his side was the raging favourite for the decider, the Tigers won that match 10-11-71 to 10-8-68.
The following season it was again disappointment for Watterson on grand final day as he and his fellow Bushrangers went down 10-11-71 to 7-12-54 against Cowra.
READ MORE: Rebel army overcomes the Orange Tigers
In 2017 he was part of the Bushrangers outfit which exited the title race in the preliminary final, while 12 months ago after a brilliant final quarter fightback from the Tigers handed them a 12-10-82 to 10-91-79 win, Watterson suffered another grand final heartbreak.
That is why Watterson pushed hard the entire four quarters on Saturday - he was determined not to taste defeat once more.
"It's something we've talked about all year, it's been drummed into us by the coaches, to just play your role. When we do that we play good footy and I think that's why we were able to work into the wind well. We all brought into it," he said.
"When we were out there, we looked up and there was still two minutes on the clock and everyone was still tight manning up. We remember past experiences where we've lost late, so I think everyone was like until the buzzer goes let's give it our all."