Weekly Times | FORMER St Kilda player and Sorrento premiership coach Troy Schwarze is headed to Kyabram District Football League club Girgarre.
Schwarze said he would play for the Kangaroos next weekend after playing a Super Rules match with his former junior club, Dingley, this weekend, and would play most of the season.
Girgarre coach Todd Woodfine officially announced Schwarze’s recruitment at training last night.
Schwarze played in and coached Sorrento’s five premierships from seven consecutive Nepean league grand finals before stepping down last year after a preliminary final loss.
He played one game for the Kangaroos last year and his mother-in-law lives in Girgarre.
Schwarze said he expected to play “most of” the games this season, but would miss a few weeks because he would be away.
This could be a last season for Schwarze — who had expected to retire after last season.
“I’m 34 so we’ll see what happens. We’re expecting twins in late September so that’s pretty exciting. But I’d say once they come along, footy might be a thing of the past,” he said.
“This might be my last hurrah which is fine. I thought I had finished at the end of last year but I’m still feeling fit enough.
“I like Todd and the people involved in Girgarre, and they’re a good bunch of boys who play up there.
“I’m looking forward to going up and meeting all of them again and getting out there and hopefully winning some games.”
Woodfine said the Kangaroos had enjoyed a good start to the season with a win against Undera and another against flag fancy Murchison away from home.
He said to have someone like Schwarze on board for most of the season was “a massive win” for the side.
“What he brings as a footballer and leader is going to be huge for the team,” Woodfine said.
“But also from a club perspective, it will create a lot of interest in and around the club and with the league in general.”
Girgarre has the longest senior premiership drought of all the clubs in the Kyabram District league, last winning a flag in 1991.