RIVERINA FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
GANMAIN-Grong Grong-Matong will enter next season without its best player with accomplished young ruckman Jacob Olsson off to South Australia.
In a huge blow for the Lions, South Australian National Football League (SANFL) club Central District this week revealed it has secured the services of Olsson for next season.
The 22-year-old leaves with GGGM's blessing with the Lions releasing Olsson from his contract to let him go and get the best out of his football career.
Olsson won GGGM's past two best and fairest awards, is a three-time premiership player and earnt NSW selection before injury prevented him from the representative honour.
Olsson explained it was a tough decision to leave the Lions but said the opportunity to better his football in South Australia was too good to refuse.
"It's a once in a lifetime opportunity," Olsson said.
"I can't really miss out on it.
"I would be kicking myself in five or 10 years time if I didn't go.
"It's going to be a good experience."
Olsson will join former GGGM players Luke Habel and Sam Milne at Central District.
It was on a recent trip to Adelaide for a 21st birthday party that Olsson met with the SANFL powerhouse, through Habel and Milne, and things quickly escalated.
Olsson was contacted by several clubs across the country but decided Central District was the best option.
"I'm a country boy at heart so moving to the city is going to be a bit daunting but I'm going to have a bit of support around me," Olsson said.
"I decided to go over there because of the footy. SANFL is just under AFL level and is a really good brand of football."
Olsson also vowed to return to GGGM one day in the future.
"I'll always come back to them," Olsson said.
"They've looked after me and I'll always do the best I can to look after them."
Olsson will be dearly missed by the club, Lions supporters and also by the Riverina Football League.
Not only was Olsson recognised as a huge talent, but also an honest and fair player that always made himself available for representative duties.
Olsson played eight games for Greater Western Sydney in the North Eastern Football League (NEAFL), and was this year named by The Daily Advertiser as the best player in the RFL competition.