Grew up in Corio, Geelong. Left school at the end of Year 11 for a carpentry apprenticeship because sitting still in a classroom made him angry and standing on a frame did not.

Thirty years on the tools after that — crews, slabs, a FIFO stretch in the Pilbara — and he still works. Melbourne since 2001. Seventeen years with Michelle. Daughter Ella, sixteen. Son Jack, thirteen. Supports Geelong. Drives a 2014 Hilux.

He is not a coach. He wrote this after coming home in a foul mood too many times and watching mates do the same while they were still calling themselves hard. If the book sells he will still be at work on Monday.