EXPERIENCED defender Jarrod Gornall says it was always the plan to finish his playing career off at Marrar.
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Gornall, 33, was yesterday named as the Bomber’s first signing for the 2014 season.
He will return to the club he spent three years with, coached in 2008, won a best and fairest medal with and played for when he won the Gerald Clear Medal in 2007.
He says he can’t wait to get back to Langtry Oval.
“I always said I’d like to come back to Marrar, and luckily everything has aligned at the right time,” Gornall said.
“I almost came back last year but it didn’t work out.
“Moving back that way was always on the cards and Marrar was always the main option if I did move back. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Gornall has a number of good mates still playing at Marrar and says it was a major factor in returning to the club.
He coached Clint Taylor in 2008 before leaving the Bombers and says he is keen to combine with Taylor again, this time with the shoe on the other foot.
“It will be good to reverse roles and play under Clint,” Gornall said.
“Clint is a great fella, and I’ll more than likely be playing down back so hopefully we can form a bit of a combination together down there.”
Marrar recruiting manager Issac Hill was thrilled to get pen on paper and secure Gornall for next season.
“We’re rapt to have Jarrod back at the club,” Hill said.
“Not only is he an accomplished footballer, as his record shows, but just the knowledge and senior experience he brings will be invaluable to our group.”
Gornall coached Leeton-Whitton in the RFL for two years, but has acted as assistant to Damien Lang this year.
He says he has no immediate plans to pull on the coaching hat again.
“I sort of see another two years (playing) in me and at this stage I’d like to concentrate on playing for Marrar,” he said.
Gornall will move back from Griffith closer to Wagga later this year or early next year.
Hill, meanwhile, was thrilled to announce Marrar had almost re-signed its entire 2013 playing list.
Coach Taylor and assistant Brad Turner are already locked in, as are the majority of players.