IN the midst of Saturday's AFL North West grand final celebrations, one of the Gunnedah Bulldogs' favorite sons was preparing for his final game.
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Saturday's 14-11-90 to 11-13-79 victory was Mark Barrow's final game for the Gunnedah Bulldogs after a career that has spanned 16 years and three clubs, .
First arriving at the club at the start of the 2017 season, Barrow has left an indelible mark on the Bulldogs, having now won two premierships and played in one unsuccessful grand final.
"It felt so good to playoff in a third-straight grand final for the Doggies and to win in front of our home crowd was just fantastic," Barrow told the Namoi Valley Independent.
"The boys have put in a lot of hard work all season and to win the way we did was just rewards."
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Barrow played an instrumental part in both premierships for the Bulldogs, but Saturday's clash placed him in an unusual position.
"I actually played out of full forward for most of the game, which was a bit different," he said.
"I played one game on the half forward flank earlier in the year, but then Doug [Bulldogs' coach Doug Meagher] called me during the week and told me I would be playing out of full forward.
"It was a bit of a shock and I think at the end of the game I didn't do too much, but we did enough."
Barrow now joins special company, being one of only a few people to have played for three different AFL North West clubs and winning a premiership with two different clubs.
"I first started playing in 2003 with Narrabri before going to the Tamworth Kangaroos and winning a premiership there before coming to the Dogs," he said.
"The game has come so far since I first started.
"Back when I started, most people around Gunnedah and Narrabri didn't really know what Aussie Rules was, but to see a big crowd turn out for the grand final shows how far we have come.
"It's come a long way and I think it will only keep getting bigger."
Barrow said he was "keen to stay involved with the game" during his retirement.
"I'll certainly be looking to stay involved with the club in some way," he said.
"As well as that, I will be looking to stay involved with the AFL North West as well where I can.
"Whether that's through umpiring or volunteering or something I'll be looking to stay involved.
"A lot of people have done plenty to help the competition over the years and I think it's important for me to give back now that I'm done.
"Also, I'll be looking to spend more time with my wife Belinda, and my kids Toby, Jake and Grace."