DEAKIN University is fortunate Byron Pickett is a family man.
And that Warrnambool trainer Rodney "Rude" Ryan has AFL connections.
The Sharks have secured one of the region's biggest recruits for 2010, with Pickett to run around the Pond this season.
Other Warrnambool and District league clubs be warned: he still has the toughness which helped North Melbourne and Port Adelaide to flags in 1999 and 2004 respectively.
But he confessed he was nowhere near as fit as he was when he played in those premierships.
"Obviously I've put on some kilos after playing AFL," he told The Standard.
"I'm about 100 kilos. If I can get back to how I was, that would be a good effort.
"I'll be getting back into some fitness with Rude in the next couple of days.
"We'll mix it up with some boxing and running," he said.
Boxing with Ryan is how Deakin came to nab the 2004 Norm Smith medallist.
"In my last year with Melbourne, Rude obviously had a bit to do with me through boxing," he said.
"I came here a couple of times just doing extra fitness work.
"I was after a change and liked the place.
"Rude asked if I wanted to come across," he said.
Ryan being a former Deakin player was enough to entice Pickett to the club.
He is staying with the trainer but will soon settle in Warrnambool with his wife Rebecca and five children, who are all under 12, when they move from Ceduna in South Australia.
"Football is not my number one priority," Pickett admitted.
"I think there will be more opportunities here than Ceduna for my kids."
While family comes first, he was still excited about lining up with Deakin.
"I'm very excited, especially with the club having a young group," he said.
"I don't know a lot about (the club). I don't think they're a rich club but it doesn't bother me at all. I'm just playing for enjoyment."
The 32-year-old hoped to pass on some wisdom he gained after more than 200 AFL games.
"I'd like to show some of the younger guys my experience and if they need any guidance, I want to help them," he said.
Pickett is returning to footy for the first time since August last year, when he played a couple of games for Bakers Creek in AFL Mackay.
Newly appointed Deakin coach Dylan Chaplin-Burch believed Pickett would be a huge boost for the passionate club.
"It's just an amazing feeling to have that sort of player," he said. "Everybody is just so enthusiastic."
Sharks president Greg Wood said he was in a state of shock when talk of Pickett playing for the club came up.
"I'm waiting to wake up from the dream," he laughed.
"For us to have a double premiership player and Norm Smith medallist is beyond our wildest expectations.
"We see Byron as having a leadership role around the club, assisting younger players and our junior footballers in Mortlake on and off the field," he said.
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