The 31-year-old can be described as a wrecking ball on account of his 194cm and 154kg frame which, at times, forces his opponents into a state of trepidation.

And, that proved to be the case on Sunday after his two-try performance saw him take out the man of the match honours in his side's 24-14 second grade victory over Greta Branxton.

"Today I was playing for my Pop because he was pretty much there every single game," an emotional Kirby explained post-match.

"He was on my mind the whole time I was out there."

The former Muswellbrook Ram bid farewell to his grandfather Lloyd George at the club stalwart's funeral only two days earlier.

George tragically passed away in a vehicle accident on the evening of Thursday, June 20.

Remembered as a lovable club stalwart, George had been a father figure to both Kirby and his younger sister Cassie (now 29) after their mother passed away of breast cancer in 1999.

"This week has been very hard for our family and I didn't have to play this game myself but I wanted to," he continued.

"We only lost my Nan about eight months ago so I'd usually call in on the way back from work to see him but (sadly) he never answered."

Kirby was rewarded with the man of the match ball as part of the league's Where There's A Will round.

"Now I just want to thank the Greyhounds for the their support; I had no idea we were going to do the minute silence for Pop or the Atkins' family so days like today make you proud to be a Dog," he concluded.