Darren Ewing knew months ago that he wanted to play under coach Matt O'Brien.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The star forward will do that after signing with Warrnambool for the 2019 Hampden league season.
He revealed it was a visit from O'Brien while holidaying in the Northern Territory during the bye round that made him all but make up his mind to join the Blues.
"He actually came and met me in Darwin and I was pretty impressed by him," he said.
"We just went to the pub and had a beer and he seemed a pretty calm sort of guy that knew his football and I knew he had been doing a good job.
"So from there I kept leaning towards them even when I was speaking with other clubs."
The 31-year-old, who will return to Reid Oval where he played with Warrnambool in 2006-07, said former teammates Simon Perry and Ben Parkinson being in management roles at the club also helped.
Ewing returns to the Blues with an incredible playing resume after 10 seasons with the Northern Territory Thunder.
During that time he became the Thunder's game-record holder, a two-time premiership player, 10-time club and six-time league leading goalkicker.
And he said he believed he still had plenty to offer Warrnambool/
"Hopefully goals," he joked.
"They have got a good young list and a good midfield so they should be able to get the ball down forward.
"But when I was there years ago I was just a young fella who didn't know much.
"After being up here for a while I am a bit more mature and played with a lot of good players and under a lot of good coaches so hopefully I can add experience and leadership."
Ewing openly admitted that having several clubs from across the south-west try and recruit him was not a completely enjoyable experience.
He confirmed he had to break the bad news to former home clubs Penshurst and Hamilton that he would not be playing with them next year.
"I don't like saying no to people so that was hard," he said.
"Especially with (brother) Shane doing the running at Hamilton and I know the blokes there.
"But we wanted to live in Warrnambool and the travel factor with three kids would be too hard and I had to do what is best for the family.
"So I had to make a decision and I am happy with the one I made."
Warrnambool football director Simon Perry said he was also happy with Ewing's decision to once again pull on the navy Blue.
"We are very excited to have Darren, Lauren and their family at our club," he said.
"A player of his experience is something we just can't value.
"We have been speaking to him about what he can bring to the group we have and we are very excited about that."
