A lot of work goes into making a back-to-back premiership winning footy team, and luckily for the Katherine South Crocs senior men's team, coach Malcolm Fox knows how to work.
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Reflecting on his team's victory on the weekend at the Big Rivers Football League grand finals, Fox said it's not winning that makes his team special, but the way his players from all walks of life are united by the game.
He said playing for the Crocs especially gives Indigenous and non-Indigenous players the chance to come together.
"There's a lot of respect between Indigenous and non-Indigenous players, that they can become friends and learn from each other is really special," Fox said.
"That can be really attractive to our players, to become a part of that.
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"That's the thing I'm most proud of.
"Winning's great but that's the key to the greatness of our club."
Fox said many of the most talented players come from remote communities across the region to play including Beswick and Jilkminggan.
"If they weren't playing for us, a lot of these guys wouldn't even be playing football," he said.
"We can't win it without them, they've got enormous talent."
Fox has been coaching in the Big Rivers Football League for nine years, but this is the first time his team has won back-to-back premierships.
"We'll probably be going for three in a row so it's gonna be hard to pass up [coaching again next season]," he said.
It's been a long and difficult path to finals this year, with the Crocs facing a number of challenges along the way.
"We had massive injuries this year towards the end of the season," he said.
"It got very wobbly, we just got it back on track right at the right time.
"It's an amazing achievement for a lot of people."
With some players now going up to Darwin for their season, which is about to start, Fox will enjoy a well-deserved break before getting ready for the 2022 season.
Next year is set to be full of its own new challenges, but Fox is prepared to face them.
"It's a lot of work. Whether you've got good players or not, it's a lot of work," he said.
"[But] if you don't have resilience, you can't expect it of your players."
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