Sam Dwyer has recommitted to Old Collegians despite being appointed assistant coach of VFL club Port Melbourne.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The former Collingwood player will again take the field for the Warriors during the 2019 Warrnambool and District league season, though on a part-time basis.
Dwyer, who kicked three goals in a best-on-ground performance in Old Collegians’ grand final loss last season, said he wanted to help the club experience success.
"I always wanted to comeback as I had a ball last year and just had a great time," he said.
"And obviously falling just one short certainly makes you want to try again and get over that final hurdle.
"Plus with all of the other boys recommitting it certainly made me have that desire to come back and play again.
"So I will certainly still try and play in the byes and any other sort of weeks off during VFL and a few Sunday games as well, so I will play where possible.
"It won't be to the same extent last year, I only missed probably six or eight games. So if I can get six or eight games in before finals that would be nice."
Dwyer, a two-time VFL premiership player with Port Melbourne, said he assisted coach Gary Ayres in an unofficial capacity last season.
The 32-year-old, along with former AFL duo Shane Valenti and Robin Nahas, was unveiled by the club as an assistant this week.
His new role will involve assisting with training three days a week as well as matches.
He will work closely with the forwards and said he was excited.
"This (coaching) is sort of something that I need to try out as I certainly have an interest in it," he said.
"I do like trying to help, develop and improve the players and I guess pass on the knowledge that I have picked up over the years.
"Even trying to implement a few things and evolving how I guess Port play a little bit, so I am interested in that sort of stuff.
"But until you sort of do it I guess you have a feel you might enjoy it but once you do you find out."
The Melbourne-based footballer said he would use his own experience of playing AFL and VFL to assist the current group.
"I think it is more having an understanding of what the guys are going through and being able to relate to what they have done and where they want to get to,” he said.
"So it is just trying to help them develop and put their best foot forward to give them that chance (of playing AFL).”