Nesdale’s son Gary said Nesdale was a salt-of-the-earth type.
“He didn't care whether you were the prime minister or the street sweeper, as long as you were a good bastard.
“It didn't matter what you did, who you were or what your race, religion or colour was, it was good bastard or bad bastard.”
Nesdale played for the Kimbolton club before the Ōroua sub-union became the Ōroua club.
Ōroua’s golden era was in the 1960s, winning the Hankins Shield from 1963-66 and in 1968. At times there were six Nesdales in the team.
In recent years he became the club’s kaumātua and would always chat to players.