Weekly Times |
BRENT Guerra’s one-off return to Koondrook-Barham will provide a huge boost to the club’s young playing group, according to committee member Dean McGowan.
The former Port Adelaide, St Kilda and Hawthorn star, who played 255 AFL games before retiring at the end of last year, kicked one goal in the Raiders’ 34-point loss to Cohuna Kangas on Saturday.
But McGowan said Guerra’s homecoming to his junior club had a far greater impact than the final scoreboard would suggest.
“It was a sensational day ... even taking into account the result; you could see the playing group and the people around the club really enjoyed having Brent around,” McGowan said.
“We have eight teenagers playing in our senior side at the moment, so it was a great experience for them to play with someone like Brent.”
The two-time Hawthorn premiership defender, who last played for Koondrook-Barham in 1998, joined his uncle, club legend Shane Guerra in the Raiders’ seniors.
The older Guerra has enjoyed an illustrious football career in his own right, with nine club best-and-fairest awards and a Central Murray league medal the main highlights in more than 400 senior grade games.
“Shane’s turning 43 next month, but he hasn’t missed a game this year and it was great to see he and Brent run around together,” McGowan said.
“He (Shane) plays in a back pocket these days, but opposition teams still play a defensive forward on him every week.”
Guerra, 32, will now return to Western Region Football League Division 1 side Deer Park, where he has played five games this season.
Originally published as Guerra return lifts young Raiders
