THE SMW Rovers have signed former midfielder Andrew Toan in what is a strong start to their off season recruiting.
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Toan returns to the club, where he played over 100 senior games, after playing in the Ballarat Football League for Ballarat and in the last few years having a stint with the Dunnstown Football Netball Club in the Central Highlands Football League.
Toan said that after a three year absence form the club, he felt that the time was right more than ever to return to the club.
“When I first played I didn’t know how long I would stay and I ended up staying for six to seven years, and it probably became a big part of my life,” he said.
“So it sort of feels like home.
“When I left three years ago, I knew I would want to come back and I think this time was better than any to come back.”
One of the other reasons Toan came back to the club, was the he felt that he had something more to give.
“I sort of have unfinished business,” he said
“The club has been trying to make finals, and when I was there we made the finals two or three times, so trying to push our finals aspirations and try and get them over the line.”
In terms of goal setting, Toan has only one goal in mind and that is to help the club push for a finals spot on the ladder, after missing out in the last few years.
“I’m not putting any expectations on myself, I am just going back out there,” he said.
“Obviously I want to help the club and push towards finals and ultimately want to help everyone around me to go one better.
“Just to keep pushing themselves, again I am not going to put pressure on myself I am just there to do my job and what the coaches want really.”
Head coach Kane Tolliday hopes this first signing would attract more players to the club.
“We will be working hard over the off season to get a few more,” he said.
“But it is just great to get one on the board, because it sort of makes up for anyone who left us.”
Tolliday said that he is looking forward to seeing what Toan will bring to the table next year.
“He can play as a midfielder, half back or at half forward,” he said.
“He’s a really good ball user and finds a lot of space quite well, and he would be a great outside mid for us.”
“When I left three years ago, I knew I would want to come back and I think this time was better than any to come back."
- Andrew Toan
Tolliday said that Toan’s game will only be improved by the experience he has already gained, which Tolliday hopes will be passed onto the club.
“I think his experience from playing at a higher level will be really good and also the way he will adapt to the speed of the Mininera league, he could be quite an asset to us.”
Tolliday will be looking to improve on their sixth spot as they try and build for finals spot.