The Merrivale recruit returned from a six-month stint in Scotland in March — just in time for a wet and windy south-west football season.

Crawford will debut for the Warrnambool and District league reigning premier in its season-opener tomorrow against Old Collegians, allowing him the chance to play alongside his close mate Joe Woonton. 

The strong-bodied onballer joined Merrivale from Hampden league club Hamilton Kangaroos in the off-season, with Woonton a key figure behind his decision to don yellow and black.

“I am getting towards the end of my playing days and I have never had a kick with Joey and we’ve known each other forever,” Crawford said. “I thought it was time to (do that).”

Crawford, 31, is excited about the Tigers’ prospects under second-year coach Karl Dwyer.

“There is a good mix of talls and mids and I don’t see any reason why we can’t go deep into the finals again,” he said. “We’ve just got to put the effort in.”

Crawford arrives at Tigerland highly credentialled. 

He played for Old Collegians in 2011 before collecting the Western Border league best and fairest the following year when he lined up for Hamilton Magpies.

The Magpies’ merger with rival Imperials led him to play for Hamilton Kangaroos in their first two seasons.

Crawford believes it will take him time to settle in at Merrivale following his unsettled preparation.

“I did a bit of pre-season in Scotland but being a bit older I’ve had a few niggles so I am not where I’d like to be,” he said.

But Dwyer is excited to unleash Crawford in the Tigers’ midfield. 

The former Koroit defender is wary Merrivale is now the hunted following its narrow grand final win against Panmure last September. 

“We had the approach of trying to improve, knowing the other teams are doing the same and are looking to knock us off,” Dwyer said.

“As far as game plan goes we’re trying to make sure we hold on to the footy a little bit more and not just bomb into our forward line.

“That is one area we thought we could improve.”

Dwyer said it was paramount the Tigers made the most of their much-vaunted forward line.

Jet Dowie (70 goals in 2014), Joe Woonton (31) and rotating ruckman Rhys Raymond (seven) provide three tall options.

“It’s good to get it into them but we want to make sure they’re quality entries,” Dwyer said.

The Tigers will be without premiership trio Todd McLean, Josh Keilar and Claye Cassidy, along with forward Josh Guiney, tomorrow.