Former Coleambally coach Josh Hamilton has thanked the Blues for their ongoing support, after having his life ban lifted on appeal.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Hamilton says he hasn't yet made up his mind whether he will play this year but is pleased to have the process behind him.
The ruckman was relieved, but his overriding feeling was of gratitude.
"I'm very happy with the decision," Hamilton told The Area News.
"I'm extremely thankful to Coleambally.
"They supported me all the way along."
Hamilton was de-registered in August 2017 after a three-week suspension for head-butting.
It took his career record beyond the 16-game limit for de-registration.
However, nearly two-and-a-half years after his last game with Coleambally, he's free to resume his career - should he wish to - after convincing the Southern NSW appeals board that he was fit to return.
"At this point, I don't know if I'll play again," Hamilton said.
"I'll consider it, but I'll just take it as it comes."
READ MORE
Players can apply for re-registration after 12 months out, however any future suspension would end a career, with no right of appeal.
Hamilton led Coleambally to the Farrer League grand final as a rookie coach in 2016.
He stepped down at the end of the season after he was one of four players suspended in the infamous decider against East Wagga-Kooringal.
Outed for eight weeks for two separate incidents in the game, he was in the danger zone for deregistration, and tripped the 16-game trigger late the following season after being suspended following a game against CSU.
The Blues stood by their former coach throughout his bid to have the punishment lifted.
***
While you're with us, did you know that you can now receive updates straight to your inbox every Monday at 6am from The Area News? To make sure you're up to date with all the Griffith and MIA news you can sign up here.