Coleambally’s ambitious recruitment drive continues, with Riverina League veteran Chris Cerato switching to the Farrer League club.
Cerato is the third Griffith Swan to sign with the Blues, following new coach Josh Hamilton and assistant Tom Groves to Coleambally.
The former Turvey Park coach said he was after a fresh start.
“That was pretty much the reason behind going out to Coly actually,” Cerato said.
“It was more-so because I needed a change really… just to experience something different.
“I’ve played 10 or 12 years of RFL and the opportunity came up to play in the Farrer League.”
Coleambally approached Cerato at the beginning of the year after he moved to Griffith.
He was close to linking with the Blues for 2015 but said the travel didn’t suit the work commitments of his partner.
A change in those circumstances, and the recruitment of Josh Hamilton as coach at Coly, convinced the 31-year old to make the switch for next season.
After playing the majority of the year in the midfield for Griffith, Cerato is expecting to play off a halfback flank for the Blues, in a team chock-full of experience following Mitch Carroll’s decision to stay on as a player.
While Coleambally make a big play for 2016, Cerato admitted his decision to follow two teammates out of Griffith wasn’t easy on the Swans.
“They were pretty disappointed, to be honest, but they could understand I’m not getting any younger,” he said.
“But the new coach (of Griffith, Adrian Pavese) he seems like he knows his craft, and he’s got high expectations on his players.
“He’ll be good for Griffith.”
It’s not all one-way traffic at the Swans, with another Canberra player – former Ainslie key position player Alex Birch – signing with Griffith.
That comes on the back of Guy Orton’s decision to return to home.
