Former East Warrnambool skipper Sam Grinter has relished the move to Russells Creek this Warrnambool and District league season.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Grinter along with half-a-dozen others moved to the Creekers after the Bombers went into recess in 2019.
"These guys here have welcomed us with open arms so it's been really good," he said.
READ MORE:
Grinter said making the transition with other Bombers had made it easier to get to know their new teammates.
Seventh-ranked Russells Creek has a crucial clash with sixth-placed South Rovers on Saturday at Mack Oval.
Both teams are sitting on three wins and five losses with a finals dream still alive.
Grinter said Creekers were going into the match with confidence.
"Our boys are starting to play the brand of footy we're known to play," he said.
"Obviously, it's taken a few weeks to get to know each other's games - the roles they play, how they play - with the big influx of players that have come across."
Grinter has had a great start to the 2021 campaign, being named in his team's best players five times from eight matches.
He's playing in the midfield and resting down forward.
"(I had) a slow start early on but that's what happens with 12 months away from footy (due to the coronavirus pandemic), it's hard to get back into it," he said.
"I haven't been going too bad but it's about role playing and doing what you do for your team, that's all you can do."
Creekers coach Peter Timms spoke highly of Grinter.
"He's been fantastic for our footy club, he's not very tall but he has a heart the size of a lion," he said.
"He hits every contest with everything he's got and he's really leading the way in that midfield.
"He's getting on in his career a little bit so he's pretty hungry for a finals appearance.
"We haven't had the ideal first half to the year but we're still in the hunt so we're going to give it everything we've got for blokes like him as well."
Grinter' son Chayce is enjoying the club's Auskick program at Mack Oval.
It's his fourth year of Auskick and he also joins in the club's under 12s training.
"It makes it easier for me to come up here when I've got him telling me 'c'mon Dad we've got to go to training'," Grinter said.
Creekers will welcome back star forward Jyran Chatfield, another former Bomber, from an ankle injury on Saturday.
Chatfield hasn't played since early May and was on fire with 28 goals from five appearances.
Oliver Everall (shin splints) and Jacob Linford (foot) are back from injury while Kyle Ryan returns after being unavailable last weekend.
Creekers have some big outs with Marcus Askew and Heath Moloney unavailable while Sam Wilson (elbow) and Dylan Burns (general soreness) are injured.
Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.