Medical student Peter Corredig has joined the Warrnambool Football Club.
PETE Corredig is not your average footballer.
In the middle of winter when its raining and there’s a howling wind whipping across his new footballing home with Warrnambool at Reid Oval, he won’t be making excuses to get off the track.
“I do like to get to as much training as I can,” the Warrnambool medical student said. “It’s more to give myself a break.
“I used to hate training. I don’t know what happened. With all the study, it’s a good opportunity to relieve the tension and get away from the books.”
Corredig is a key recruit for Warrnambool, the Hampden Football Netball League reigning premier.
Standing 196cm, Corredig brings some much needed height to the Blues, giving coach Scott Carter flexibility among his key position players.
The 26-year-old was drawn to Warrnambool through his medical studies at Deakin University Geelong. As part of his degree to become a general practitioner, he spends the next two years in Warrnambool, based at South West Healthcare, gaining on-the-job experience.
The Blues have former premiership player Aaron O’Callaghan and another former Blue Gavin Berry for steering Corredig towards Reid Oval.
He played alongside O’Callaghan at Ocean Grove in the Bellarine league in 2011 and last year while Berry was chairman of selectors.
It’s a move Corredig is relishing. “I think it will be good fun,” he said.
“I don’t have too many expectations. I’m just keen to play footy and have that as a bit of an outlet.
“I’ve been getting on really well with the boys so far and I think I will have a fun year whether we are winning or losing.”
Warrnambool isn’t used to losing too many matches, chasing a sixth consecutive grand final appearance this season.
Corredig, who tasted success at junior level with Strathmore in the Essendon District league, is hoping he gets the opportunity to play in a season-decider at senior level. In his two seasons with Ocean Grove, the Grubbers had a finals double chance and were bundled out in straight sets.
He played at centre half-forward with Ocean Grove — a position he doesn’t expect to fill at Warrnambool, which already has a potent forward line with Jason Rowan and Travis Graham.
“I’ve played 90 per cent of my football at centre half-back and do a little bit of ruck work. I always play my best footy at centre half-back.”
Corredig said he was looking forward to making his debut with the Blues in the pre-season cup at Port Fairy on March 16.
“I don’t know a lot about the league,”he said.
“Where I’ve come from it was a really quick league.”
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