Local footy gun Nayef Hamad recorded a staggering 72 disposals for Tooleybuc Manangatang on Saturday.
The former Western Bulldogs VFL player had a record-equalling 49 kicks among his 72 touches, which itself sits equal second for the most disposals ever recorded in a game by Premier Data, behind only fitness guru and gun for hire Tom Baulch (Prime Train).
It's not the first time Hamad has put up monster numbers, with the former Newport captain racking up 60 touches in the Western Region Football League last year.
“I didn't get a tag this week and I thought 'it's about time!'" Hamad told Zero Hanger.
"At the start of the game we were talking about work rate because the last few weeks we haven't been defending enough before we attack so I went into the game with a defend-first mindset.
"Throughout the last two years I've worked on my defensive game so I started implementing that and it has helped me get more of the ball. It helped and has allowed me to influence the team more.
"My mentality used to be to kick goals but working back and defending first makes you attack more. Everyone there is starting to do it.
"I felt like I had a bit of it but not 72. It felt like I had about 60. It was crazy when I found that out."
Tooleybuc won 23.15 (153) to 1.9 (15) against Murrabit after a strong start with what Hamad described as a 10-goal wind in their back.
"I knew as soon as I had the ball, there was no head to head matchup. I could just play footy and we kicked the first eight goals of the game and I started taking some marks and knew I was on.
"I've loved it. I'm doing well this year so hopefully I can get through the year without any injuries because I have had soft tissue injuries over the years."
Hamad, a car dealer from Altona North, and a group of players from metro Melbourne make the more than four hour trip to the remote north west every Friday to play for ‘Tooley Manang'.
The club supplies a bus and accommodation for the group of players, which also includes former Western Bulldogs AFL player Robbie McComb, and they spend the weekend at the Murray River club.
“They're a very nice, welcoming club. I cherish the opportunity to play up there," Hamad said.
"I recommend a lot of Melburnians to get out of their comfort zone and play in the bush because I've enjoyed my footy this year so much more than I ever have. You're on the Murray on Saturday nights and light a little fire and it's so nice."
Hamad has been named in the best in all but one of his nine games this season for Tooleybuc, which sit sixth in the 16-team Central Murray Football Netball League.
After four seasons grinding his teeth as a utility on the fringe of Footscray's lineup, he has leaned into local footy in recent years, culminating in a co-coaching role this year.
"The physicality is greater than the Western league where it is faster in terms of turnover," Hamad said.
"In the bush, it's a bit harder which I like. They get ripper crowds and the whole town comes and watches. It's a beautiful place to be with the support they get.
"Having a leadership responsibility has changed the way I go about things. It's something different - you see football in a different way.
"I've enjoyed every bit of the coaching gig."
Hamad has spent the past two seasons playing in the Northern Territory Football League for Palmerston across the southern summer which he believes has taken his footy to another level.
For both lifestyle and footballing reasons, an increasing number of local and aspiring VFL footballers are going north to play in the NTFL which is a different style of footy and provides match fitness for the southern footy season.
“Darwin football is something different - it allows me to do a pre-season through playing," Hamad said.
"It helps my body stay fit and I get a full year around football.
"Nothing compares to the physicality and fitness of playing games. It's helped me heaps."
