NICK Couch grew up just a stone's throw from Nirranda Recreation Reserve but has never pulled on the club's famous navy blue.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
That's about to change.
The former North Ballarat Rooster, who won a VFL premiership in 2010, last played for Terang Mortlake but the lure of family convinced him to sign up for the Warrnambool and District league for 2021.
"I thought my time at Terang (Mortlake) was probably over and I did wait until the eleventh hour to decide whether to play or not," he told The Standard.
"It was really just family. I grew up just down the road and my brothers and sisters are here.
I thought 'why not have one more year and play with them?'. It was a bit of a no-brainer in the end.
- Nick Couch
"I thought 'why not have one more year and play with them?'. It was a bit of a no-brainer in the end."
Couch played junior football at Allansford before shifting to the Hampden league.
"My dad's mate was coaching the juniors at Allansford when we were growing up so that's why we sort of leapfrogged Nirranda," he said.
"So this is the first time. Everyone probably thinks I'm a local (to the club), but I'm not really."
Couch hoped to bolster the Blues' attack but admitted he was open to spending time in the engine room.
"I'd probably like to play forward but like at Terang (Mortlake), I'd be happy to pinch hit through the middle," he said.
"I'd also like to back the younger blokes to sort that out too.
"But my body is feeling OK to go in midfield so if they need me, I'll for sure help out."
Couch joins Scott Carlin and Jack Spokes as the Blues' summer additions.
Carlin has been earmarked for a half-back role while Spokes could feature through midfield.
Couch said he'd spent limited time on the training track but was confident Nirranda would be a genuine finals contender.
"There are a lot of good numbers and the more numbers you have the more chance you have of putting a good side on the park," he said. "(Coach Brayden Harkness) is well organised and I think we'll definitely be a top-five contender." Nirranda will play South Rovers in round one.
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.
Nick Ansell
Nick Ansell is a sports journalist at the Warrnambool Standard.
Nick Ansell is a sports journalist at the Warrnambool Standard.
