“I walked past the (Warrnambool) bowls club many times going down to the Royal Hotel,” he said.

“The Royal Hotel closed up so it was my next watering hole. I went in for a drink and the rest is history. First it was barefoot bowls and then pennant.”

That was five years ago.

Carlin, 52, spent three years at the Cramer Street club before two Western District Bowls Division seasons with Terang – the town he grew up in.

The self-employed electrician has returned to Warrnambool for the 2018-19 season which starts on Saturday.

He will line up for Warrnambool Gold as it strives for six premierships in a row.

“There’s strong opposition with City Memorial, Dennington and Koroit,” Carlin said.

“They (Warrnambool) have never won it by much but they seem to have the edge which is good.”

Carlin said he took time to adjust to the sport but now loved spending his Saturdays on the greens.

“I remember when I first started how sore I was,” he said.

“I am a young, fit sort of person and standing around all afternoon is tiring.

“I have a lot of respect for the older players on a hot arvo.”