It's hard to imagine a better return to the Wimmera for Ben McIntyre.
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The midfielder is yet to lose a game with his new club, Minyip-Murtoa, and few sides have looked capable of chasing down the Burras.
McIntyre, originally from Edenhope, said the perfect start even shocked him.
"It's been surprising and the first few weeks were pretty tough with the draw, where we were playing almost a week on and a week off," he said.
"I think looking at that sort of start, and with a new group we spoke at the start of the year and said we'd probably be happy to take three wins in those first five games."
Although he grew up in Edenhope, the midfielder spent much of his career in South Australia, first with Naracoorte and then with Glenelg in the SANFL.
McIntyre moved to Melbourne four years ago to further his football career and earned selection with VFL outfit Box Hill Hawks in 2016.
After two years with Blackburn in Melbourne's Eastern Football League, he decided to return to country football.
"I had a couple of pretty good mates out there (Minyip-Murtoa), so when I first had the idea I asked them, and they couldn't speak highly enough," McIntyre said. "Even the people I spoke to externally that didn't have much to do with the club had all spoke highly of it too. That probably drove me there even more.
"I probably missed the country club vibe a little bit. I think it's almost a breath of fresh air, to be honest.
"You don't realise how good the country clubs are until you're away from them for a little while."
Ben's brother, Tim, joined him in making the move to Minyip-Murtoa.
Adelaide-based Tim arrived from Mundulla in the Kowree-Naracoorte-Tatiara Football League, where he won the premiership and league best and fairest medal last season.
"I hadn't played with my brother (Tim) for about eight years," McIntyre said.
"Family was one of the most important reasons behind the move.
"I wasn't sure what the future held with Tim and his footy, so it was sort of a 'let's get back and do it' type of thing.
"We don't really see each other much, so it's been great to meet halfway."
As the regular season winds down, the Burras are emerging as one of the flag favourites.
McIntyre said that regardless of on-field results, the move was a success.
"It's worked out really well for both of us and hopefully for the club as well," he said. "I wouldn't change anything."
"I think we've been very lucky with our situation and how everything has just fallen into place."
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