It can be displayed physically, by backing into a pack, playing injured or simply, to use a well-known footy term, “going when it’s your turn”. There is also mental courage, including the ability to remain upbeat when the chips are down.

Myrtleford captain Luke Chapman has both types of courage in abundance.

The key defender, who has played all his football at Myrtleford since his family moved to the area 14 years ago, is honest and forthright about the Saints’ current plight, but wouldn’t want to be playing anywhere else.

In fact, as rumours circulated earlier this year that the club might be forced to fold, he was ready to sit out a year of football rather than play elsewhere.

“If we had’ve folded like some people said we might, I would’ve taken a year off,” Chapman, 28, said yesterday.

“I love the club.

“(This year) has been difficult but even with all the losses, in a lot of ways it has been enjoyable too.

“I’ve always thought Myrtleford is the best footy club going around and I still believe that.

“We’ve got so much support around the place and everyone’s working to make the club a better place.

“We’re trying to stay positive.”

But even the optimistic skipper realises it’s not all roses at McNamara Reserve.

“Look, it hasn’t been easy — when there’s less than 20 blokes at training, it gets a bit hard,” the former O and M representative said.

“Copping 20-goal losses every week is really, really tough to take and it has to change.

“We can handle losing each week this year — and to be honest, we’re not likely to win a game this year — but we can’t let it continue next season.

“We just need to get through this year and recruit well and when we start winning it will be bloody sweet.”

The Saints have been out of their depth in the Ovens and Murray in 2009 but it would be hard to comprehend how bad they would be travelling without the Chapman family.

Luke, who missed the club’s one-point grand final loss to Lavington in 2005 due to a knee reconstruction, has been a shining light in the Saints backline, while his younger brother Josh is the club’s reigning best and fairest winner.

Off the ground, their parents Kerry and Tony are two of the club’s greatest servants, with Kerry president of the ladies committee and Tony managing the football team.

Today’s assignment at home against Albury won’t bring any relief to the club’s 34-game losing streak but you can count on Luke and Josh giving it their all on the field, with Kerry and Tony doing whatever they can on the sidelines.