IT was a sight that encapsulated Nick Carnell.
The Coburg captain lay on the ground in the Victorian Football League club's changerooms with ice attached to his ankle and a drink of water in hand.
It was the Saturday night after the Tigers' six-point victory against rival Northern Bullants.
Carnell's teammates were upstairs enjoying the club's reverse raffle social night.
Every hour Carnell hobbled down the stairs and spent 15 minutes icing before returning to mingle with his mates and supporters.
He had just played game No. 98 and was desperate to stop a rolled ankle ruling him out of No. 99 against Box Hill on Saturday.
Coach Adam Potter said last week he was confident his inspirational skipper would line up against the Hawks, which he did, paving the way for the 23-year-old to notch the century against Casey this Saturday.
"He was icing throughout the entire function to try and get himself up for (Saturday). After a great win he didn't have a beer throughout the entire function.
"He definitely makes sure he gets the most out of himself and that's the sort of character he is."
Truth be told, it is not just a rolled ankle placing Carnell in doubt. He has battled shin splints for six weeks but refuses to succumb to injury. "The way he trains and the way he plays is always 100 per cent, to the point where I've had to taper his program a fair bit (because of shin splints)," Potter said.
Carnell downplayed his setbacks, instead focusing on the future of the club.
He wants to play finals next year and emulate some of the success enjoyed by triple reigning premier North Ballarat.
And to do that he wants his young crop of stars to follow his lead and re-sign at Coburg.
"When blokes stick around for 5-6 years that's when you start to see the results," Carnell said.
"I'm trying to build a culture of success and keep boys there and it'd be good to see some of the younger boys come through and get to that 100-game mark in a couple of years.
"If we start breeding our own (players) and getting them into our culture, I think success will come from that."
Carnell played in two junior flags before landing at the Northern Knights in 2005. But he is desperate for premiership glory at senior level.
"Senior flags are always the pinnacle, so I don't consider (winning one) until then."
Click HERE for the full story from Leader's Sam Landsberger
Last Modified on 11/08/2011 19:03