WHEN former AFL player Clinton Young signed on to return to Minyip-Murtoa in November last year, he knew he might only have a limited window to try and win a premiership with his original club.
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After one season with the club, it was announced during the week Young had signed on with Gisborne in a playing-assistant coach role.
Young, who lives in Gisborne, said it was not set in stone before the year that he would only play for one season with the Burras.
“It was always likely though that I would only be back one year,” he said.
“It’s the travelling factor and I’m getting married in October, so it was my opportunity to get back.
“I thought it was the right time to come back, but unfortunately it wasn’t quite the ending we wanted.”
Young helped the Burras to the grand final, where the side was minutes away from winning the club’s first senior premiership in 18 years.
It had been more than 10 years between games for the Burras when he pulled on the jumper in round one.
In between time, he played 116 games for Hawthorn, including the 2008 premiership and 2012 grand final and a further 21 for Collingwood.
Young said he thought the Wimmera Football League was in a great position.
“There is some good young players coming though,” he said.
“I remember when I was young it was a bit intimidating with some big bodies running around, but the competition is much more even now.
“I couldn’t have enjoyed the season any more than I did. If I was living closer to home, than I might have kept playing there for longer.
“It’s purely the distance factor.”
Young said Minyip-Muyrtoa was also in a great position due to the hard work being put in behind the scenes.
“There is a lot of people with great leadership putting in great work at the club behind the scenes,” he said.
“It would be unfair to start naming names, but Andy Delahunty has done a great job and deserves a special mention.”
Young said he was looking forward to stepping into more of an off-field role at Gisborne.
“Travelling back home this year, I couldn’t really have much of an impact during the week,” he said.
“I could only do bit on game day.
“I’m looking forward to heading down that path, but my main focus is still on playing.”
Young said he would keep an eye on how the side was going and endorsed incoming Burras coach Damian Cameron.
“He’s got a great presence when playing and he’s a well respected player,” he said.
“He explains things really well to the younger guys.
“That stood out even more when he was out injured during the final in Ararat.”
