COBDEN teenager Sam Cunnington had wanted to trial with a VFL club next season.
The idea was to shift to Melbourne, sign up for study or an apprenticeship and test his football skills at state league level.
Not any more.
Cunnington, one of the young heroes of the Bombers' qualifying final win against Camperdown, is instead likely to remain in the south-west.
He wants to become an apprentice builder and keep playing with a football club which is seemingly going places.
The 18-year-old's plans for 2013 have changed dramatically in recent weeks, and football has been a key factor in his thinking.
The Bombers have enjoyed a stunning second half of the season and, with a remarkably young list, are well positioned for next season. Cunnington wants to be a part of wherever the Cobden journey takes him.
Even this season he did not want to miss the chance to play Hampden league finals and so gave up his spot as a fringe player at the Geelong Falcons.
Teammates Brendan Richardson and Michael Salmon did likewise, and are reaping the benefits of having defined roles in the rising Bombers.
"The three of us had a get-together one night. We see a better future with Cobden than we do at the Geelong Falcons at this point in time," he said.
"We had a meeting with the coach (Andrew Allthorpe) and Michael Turner.
"And they were happy for us because we were fringe players and weren't getting much of an opportunity.
"We're thankful for the opportunity and we're thankful for Cobden backing our decisions."
Cunnington took less than a minute to have an influence in the qualifying final, kicking the opening goal of the match after 40 seconds.
The major came in fortunate circumstances he was the last man standing after a goal-line collision but it did his, and the Bombers' confidence, wonders.
He finished with two goals and delivered the handballs to set up Damon Delaney and Louis Cahill for two more.
Cunnington's performance was representative of why Cobden won the match.
Its young brigade Cahill, Richardson, Zac Merrett and Tom Spokes included were exceptional and backed up typical efforts from the senior leaders.
"That's what finals are about," Cunnington said.
"You know your Joe Dares and Levi Dares and Tim Horans are going to be your dominant players each week.
"But the young ones need to step up. Leigh Rosolin has been dominant the last couple of weeks and he had another good day today.
"Louis Cahill is one of the most underrated players in the league.
"We knew we had a good day ahead of us and it was up to us to stand up."
Cunnington said the playing group believed it was on the verge of something special, although was not getting ahead of itself.
"We've rolled every team but Warrnambool so far and we only lost to them by a handful of goals when we played them up at the Reid," he said.
"We don't see ourselves as a more dominant team but we put our head down, good old Cobden, and have a crack."
