Andrew Moodie plays football with the passion of a teenager trying to impress his girlfriend.
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That's why, at age 36, he remains so effective. And it is one of the reasons North Tamworth were so keen to welcome him back when he left Pirates last year after a premiership three-peat.
The veteran centre has not disappointed at Norths - crossing for 13 tries while forming a lethal left-edge combination with captain-coach Scott Blanch.
Speaking on the Leader's podcast, LeagueLand, on Friday, Moodie spoke effusively about Blanch's footballing ability.
That included offering a suggestion that he believes would make the five-eighth, an by extension Norths, even more formidable as they prepare to meet Werris Creek in the major semi-final at Jack Woolaston Oval on Saturday.
Moodie has relished playing outside the former Manly signing and Group 4's reigning player of the year, who is expected the guide the undefeated Bears to a sixth-straight premiership. Moodie had not played with him prior to this year.
"He's a very intense sort of guy on the field," the code-hopper said. "I think that's a good attribute being a five-eighth.
"But I think that his running game is extraordinary. I always say to him on the field, 'Run before you pass - I think you play a lot better [when you do].'
"But he's got his own mind about what he thinks needs to be done for the team.
"For me, if I was as a coach, I'd ask him to run first and then look to pass later."
That is what happened in the Bears' 44-18 win over Gunnedah at Kitchener Park on Saturday night. In the second half, Blanch went himself inside the Bulldogs' half and then fired a pass for Moodie to race down the western touchline and score in the corner.
Moodie ticks all the boxes needed to be in a side that Bulldogs coach John Hickey believes might be one of the best ever in Group 4 and could win the Clayton Cup this year (award annually to the NSW country league side with the best record).
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And along with former NSW Country representative and fellow new signing Josh Schmiedel, he has probably made Norths an even better side than last season's outfit.
In winning 12 straight matches in 2019, the Bears have scored 608 points and conceded 152.
Moodie said Norths took pride in their viper-like retaliation when scored against and their cast-iron defence.
"It's quite easy to walk into a team that's already established and just know your role and get the job done," he said.
