Coleambally have hit a bullseye in their search for an experienced key forward, bringing former Leeton-Whitton coach Jade Hodge to the Farrer League in 2021.
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Hodge has signed as an assistant coach at the Blues, who have also locked in experienced Griffith Swans defender Daniel Peruzzi and his brothers Matthew and Luke.
The 33-year-old Hodge, who secured his place in Crows' history when he took the club to a long-awaited premiership in 2017, was ready to retire after their grand final finish in the AFL Riverina Championship as runners-up to Wagga Tigers.
That completed five years back at the Riverina League club Hodge first joined in 2008 (for two years). He had three as coach, from 2016 to 2018, and then two playing under his successor Daniel Muir.
However, he felt he still had something to give in a different environment.
"I'm excited," Hodge said.
"The commitment level at RFL and what it took, I couldn't fully commit to that time-wise or physically - we've been doing three nights a week.
"I've also got a four-month-old bub and in the conversations with Coleambally they understood family and my little girl are number one.
"But the main reason was for something new and new challenges."
Hodge said he wants to keep the door ajar for coaching opportunities so jumped at the chance to support Coleambally co-coaches Luke Hillier and Curtis Steele.
"Staying in a coaching role was a good opportunity because it's really something I enjoy doing and something I want to do down the track," he said.
"I've only ever coached at Leeton so it's a new group and a new challenge for me. And they're a very young group over there at Coleambally which is exciting and I'm hoping I can help out as much as possible."
Hodge's partner has coached netball at Coleambally previously and he is looking forward to testing himself again in a different league.
Hodge kicked 20 goals in nine games in the AFL Riverina Championship this year, second in the league behind teammate Cooper Sharman. It took him to 100 in the last four years. That was after booting 52 in 2016.
"He's pretty massive for us," Hillier said.
"We needed a big forward. He'll be brilliant. He's another experienced head and he's played a lot of good footy. He'll be good for me and Curtis to bounce some ideas off as well."
Hodge joins Guy Orton as experienced Riverina League coaches playing at Coleambally next year as the Blues shape into a formidable outfit.
The Peruzzi brothers also crossing from Griffith only adds to their dimensions.
Daniel has been a mainstay in defence, playing well over 100 senior games since making his debut as a 17-year-old back in 2012 while Luke and Matt will also add to the Blues' depth.
"They're super players. Young guys in their mid-20s who have played a lot of footy at Griffith but are keen to come across," Hillier said.
"Luke will probably play on a wing and Matt probably forward and through the midfield."
Hillier said he and Steele are excited for 2021 after their first year in partnership fell victim to the pandemic.
"I'm super keen. Talking to everyone on the phone, they're all keen to go around. We've built a pretty strong list and we're keen to get out there for next year," he said.
The Blues finished fifth in 2019 under Hillier and Mitch Carroll. Steele then stepped up for his first senior coaching role this year. He ended up playing the season at Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong on permit.