EVERYONE loves a powerful forward, one who can take a big mark and bomb at goal from a long way out. Kids gather behind the sticks to watch the big forwards. Older fans drive hours to see them.

Northern Victorian fans have been treated to two of the best in recent years, Rochester's Anthony "Tank" McPhee and Brendon Parker of Nathalia. At 36 and 37 respectively, they're both solidly in the veteran class. Fans might consider seeing them before the end of this season or risk not seeing them at all.

McPhee gained his nickname when he was a solid teenager in Bamawm, which is just outside Rochester. At 183 centimetres, Collingwood six-footer height, he's built his career around contributing his share to a multi-pronged forward line.

In 1989, when Tank was 17, he announced himself as a Goulburn Valley Football League star by kicking 13 goals against Tatura. On Saturday, also against Tatura, he played in his 400th game, all of them in the seniors, and all with Rochester.

He began the afternoon by running through a modest banner with his two sons, Harrison, 8, and Adam, 6. At half-time he had four goals. At the end of the game he had 10.

His effort in reaching double figures on the day he became the first footballer to play 400 games in one of the best country leagues made it a celebration to remember.

Parker began at Nathalia, north of Shepparton, before joining Goulburn Valley club Tongala as a 20-year-old in 1991, and revealing himself as a star by winning the competition best-and-fairest award as a centre half-forward.

Carlton drafted Parker in 1992 but his two seasons at Princes Park were curtailed by injury. In 1993, he did his knee while playing in his fifth senior game, against Sydney. At 187 centimetres he was unlikely to challenge Stephen Kernahan for a key-forward post and the Blues moved him on.

Parker later played 100 games as a mobile centre half-forward for North Adelaide, under coaches such as Darel Hart and Chris McDermott. He himself coached back at Tongala and was an assistant at Geelong league club club Newtown-Chilwell under former Geelong forward Terry Bright.

In 2004, Parker decided to complete the circle and return to his hometown club, Nathalia, where his enormous presence helped propel the club to a rare grand final, against Deniliquin. For the next three years, he was the key figure as the Purples broke a 30-year premiership drought and then won another two flags. In those four seasons, Parker kicked way over 100 goals in all of them.

This year a degenerative knee has lessened his influence but he's enjoyed his onfield tutoring for young forwards. Off the field he continues to hand out the awards after home matches, when he ribs the metrosexual midfielders about their bleached-porcupine haircuts and brings out a wig or a can of Mr Sheen for the balding defenders.

On Saturday, Parker kicked a season-high five goals as Nathalia pummelled Tocumwal. He and McPhee are both returning to vintage form as the season progresses. Their clubs are both looking to September.