SOUTH Warrnambool recruit Nick Thomson believes the Hampden league club is on the right track.
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Thomson, 18, has committed to the Roosters for the 2014 season after playing most of his football for Kowree-Naracoorte-Tatiara (KNT) league club Border Districts.
The versatile key position prospect, who made his KNT league senior debut at 16, will move to Warrnambool in coming weeks.
Thomson said family connections landed him at Friendly Societies’ Park.
Roosters forward Robbie Gregg, another off-season signing, is his brother-in-law.
Thomson said a meeting with South Warrnambool officials helped entice him to make the change.
“What they said was pretty convincing about looking forward and into the future and they’re hoping for many things,” he said.
“I was looking for a change and something different.
“I’ve been here all my life. It will be good down by the beach, I love the beach.”
Thomson said he believed the Roosters, coming off a wooden spoon season, had a bright future under new coach Matt Monk.
“I have only played in one final in all of my football career so I am looking forward with South,” he said.
Thomson, at 192 centimetres and 97 kilograms, could be used in a variety of positions.
“In junior footy I was a forward but I’ve played senior football since I was 16 down in the backline,” he said.
“(My style) depends on if I am put on a flank or at centre half-back.
“On a flank I like to run off and create play but I’ll stand my opponent if I am playing at centre half-back.”
Monk said South Warrnambool was yet to determine a specific role for Thomson in 2014.
But he said the teenager had the “nous” to play down back.
“Normally you recruit 18-year-olds out of your juniors or out of the district league,” Monk said.