Ag College have pulled off a coup by attracting halfback Gerard McTaggart to the club.
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McTaggart is returning home to Wagga and comes to Aggies off the back of years in the Shute Shield.
He played for Waratahs in 2012 but decided against returning to the club.
The 25-year-old said Aggies coach Will Mitchell played a big role in his decision to join the university club.
“My great boss Will Mitchell swayed me,” McTaggart said.
“It was a pretty clear cut decision in the end.
“I didn’t really have any mates there (at Waratahs) who used to be there.
“Aggies was the only choice really.”
McTaggart played some first grade with Eastwood but mostly played second and third grade with the Shute Shield club.
He’s looking forward to joining Aggies and will bring plenty of experience to the young team.
After moving back home, McTaggart has enjoyed the change of pace and hopes that flows into his performances on the field.
“It is good to be back playing bush footy,” he said.
“I’m just enjoying being back in Wagga as well with the slower pace of life.”
Mitchell believes he will be a great addition to the club.
“We are very excited to have him on board and at training,” Mitchell said.
“He will definitely help our back line get on the front foot with some nice quick, clean ball.”
Mitchell is unsure who will join McTaggart in the playmakers role.
Captain Cam Duffy slotted into five-eighth last season well at the end of the last season, but the returning coach is looking to keep his options open.
“We are not too sure where Cam is going to play,” Mitchell said.
“We just have to make sure we put the best combination and the best team on the paddock.
“We’ve got a couple of trials before the season so we will give a couple of guys a run there and we are still not too sure who is coming to Wagga for uni. It will be interesting and the more competition for spots the better.”
Ag College are trialing against Tumut at Cootamundra on March 10 before heading to Bathurst for a four-way trial with CSU Bathurst and St Albert’s and Robb colleges from Armidale on March 17.
Aggies will kick off the Southern Inland season with a clash against Waratahs on April 7.
Mitchell can’t wait to tackle his former club again and believes round one is a great timeslot for the game.