BRYCE O'Garey has pulled the pin on his retirement plans to assist Leeton-Whitton in their time of need after responding to new coach Sam Darley's plea to help guide their young team.
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Like many country football teams after COVID, the Crows numbers have taken a hit and 2017 premiership captain O'Garey, who initially called it quits after last year's AFL Riverina Championships grand final loss to West Tigers, has come back into the fold.
Tough inside midfielder O'Garey said Darley wasn't the only one hoping he'd have a change of heart, with soon-to-be six-year-old son Boston and wife Jane also keen for him to pull the boots on again.
"We've got low numbers this year and I don't think we're the only ones in that boat," he said.
"We've got a pretty young team and he (Darley) asked what I was thinking. I thought I'd come back and add some experience.
"The kids are a bit older and Boston wants me to go around again, and Jane likes to watch me play as well."
O'Garey has shed a number of kilos since last season after spending summer training and competing in triathlons.
"I've kept in nick and have done a couple of triathlons, it's obviously a lot of endurance stuff so it's going to take a few weeks to get match fit," he said.
"I'll do what I can to guide some of the younger players who haven't played seniors, be an on-field mentor.
"You feel bad not doing the whole pre-season but a few comforting words from the other older guys helped that a bit."
The cancellation of a number of top interstate leagues meant the Crows had the luxury of bringing back several top juniors keen for a game, which also ensure they played well under the player points allocation.
However their return to greener pastures means the Crows may be in for a more challenging year.
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Darley has flagged alternating with O'Garey in the midfield and up forward in order to give the 31-year-old a rest, and also help compensate for the loss of key targets Daniel Muir, Jade Hodge and Cooper Sharman.
"He used that as a bit of a lure to bring me back. We'll see how long it lasts, I might get itchy feet standing around (up forward), especially if it's a cold day," he said.
"I'm not a natural forward, I like to be around the ball."
The Crows get their campaign underway with a tough home assignment against reigning premiers Wagga Tigers on Saturday.
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