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EVERYONE who has played junior football has a story to tell . It is a stage in life when many of our greatest sporting heroes first felt the thrill of kicking a goal or taking a spectacular mark, first shared the joys and disappointments of wins and losses with teammates that became best friends. It is where they developed their dream of playing at the highest level.

Collingwood star Dale Thomas grew up in the West Gippsland town of Drouin, idolising Gary Ablett Senior, who grew up in the same town.

Thomas’ earliest memory? The cold mornings, the numb feet and ice on the footy ground.