THERE won't be any added pressure Brent Horan feels when he runs out in his final game for the Hastings Valley Vikings on Saturday.
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He won't do anything different, but will have the added comfort of pulling on his favourite pair of finals boots for the grand final clash with Coffs Harbour.
The Vikings will aim for their sixth-straight premiership success in a run where Horan has coincidentally worn those exact same pair of boots.
He is quick to admit something other than his choice of footwear have been the reason for the success.
"We've had some fantastic talent come through in the last six years; it's nothing to do with the boots," he said.
"Win, lose or draw I've had a great time and that's the main thing; I don't think there is any extra pressure on myself or the rest of the team to do something (because he's retiring).
"For us it's another game. We've been there and done that before so we're well versed in what can happen on grand final day."
Horan admits it will be hard to let go of a sport which has become part of his life for the last decade.
"Rugby is something I've had a lot to do with my whole life and it's going to be hard to let it go, but I will be letting go after this Saturday," he said.
I've talked about it before but I feel like there are other priorities in my life now and I'm more than happy how it's ended up that's for sure.
- Brent Horan
"I've talked about it before but I feel like there are other priorities in my life now and I'm more than happy how it's ended up that's for sure."
The prop is one of only two players who will have played in all of the Vikings six-straight grand final appearances.
And how does he keep motivated for the big day after playing in so many season deciders?
"For me, it's that I don't want to see anyone else have the trophy," he said.
"There are also a lot of people who put in a lot of effort outside the playing field and we represent them as well."
The other remaining original is Dylan Lewis - the man affectionately known as Chilli and from Rotorua in New Zealand.
"Being from Rotorua I never thought in a million years my name would be on the honour board in a bowling club in Port Macquarie," he said.
"It's something to look back on when I've finished."
Second grade kicks off at 1.25pm.
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