It's no secret Richie Roberts is the heart and soul of the Mustangs first grade side.
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There's rarely a set the 80-minute lock forward doesn't take a barnstorming charge forward with the ball and in defence he attempts to make every tackle.
A dedication to be at his best every single day has led to Roberts' tireless performances on the field.
"There's been a lot of hard work behind closed doors," Roberts told the Argus.
"I wake up at 5.30 every morning, train twice a day and make sure I am eating healthy."
Success has followed Roberts, as he lifted the premiership with the Mustangs in 2014, before he took the Breakers to four straight grand final appearances.
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This Sunday will mark Roberts' sixth consecutive appearance in the Group Three grand final and the Kempsey man believes this is the sweetest one of all.
"This will be one to remember and the most important one to me. Playing back for my hometown and to captain the side, leading a young team of quality young men, is pretty special," Roberts said.
Roberts, alongside fellow experienced forwards, Chris Piper and Adam McMurray, will lead the Mustangs into battle with the Wauchope Blues in the Group Three grand final this Sunday.
McMurray has declared it will be his last outing in rugby league, as he draws the curtains closed on an illustrious country footy career.
The front row forward claimed two premierships with the Mustangs and ironically two grand final victories with Sunday's opponents the Blues.
The 35-year-old hopes to sail into the sunset as a premiership winner.
"I still have a lot of mates in the Wauchope side so it's fitting I get to finish my career playing against them in a grand final," McMurray said.
"It would be unreal to finish with a win but either way, I couldn't ask for much more than to finish in a grand final."
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Piper, who has been to the last two Group Three deciders, claims this year's has a special feeling.
"The feeling is different. The way we have rallied together and where we have come from makes it a big achievement," Piper said.
"The club wasn't going to be in the competition at all this year and now we are in the grand final."
Roberts has been overwhelmed by the support the community has given to the Mustangs this season.
"We have a lot of supporters in the community," he said.
"People have been coming up to me in Woolies and around town and have told me how good it is that we are succeeding and what the club means to everyone. We want to win for ourselves but for them too."
Macleay Valley take on Wauchope this Sunday at 3pm.
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