An appetite for change will see Luke Cuthbert make the move from Farrer League club East Wagga-Kooringal to join Turvey Park next season.
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Cuthbert’s call suprised the Hawks. A club junior, he said it was a tough decision to leave Gumly but the opportunity to explore new horizons won him over.
“I was just keen to go and have a crack,” Cuthbert said, adding that he also has a family connection at the Bulldogs in Josh Ashcroft.
“I’m only young and it’s a good chance to try something different and play with a different bunch of blokes.
“It definitely was a hard decision. East Wagga’s my home club. I’ve been there since I was four and I’d hope I might go back there one day.
“So it definitely played on my mind. But I thought I might as well mix it up a bit.”
Cuthbert is still only 19 but has represented the Farrer League three times. He won a premiership with the Hawks in 2016 (and was also their best player in the 2015 grand final loss).
The midfielder got a glimpse of the Riverina League’s topline talent in the representative showdown in May when the Farrer League was humbled by 85 points.
But, in terms of the week-to-week challenge, changing leagues is a step into the unknown.
“No, I’m not too sure really (what to expect),” he said. “I’ve never played it. I know it’s going to be a bit faster, that’s for sure. But I’m really looking forward to it.”
He believes he’s joining a club heading in the right direction after taking out the last two under 17 Riverina League premierships.
“They’re definitely on the way up,” Cuthbert said.
“They’ve got a good bunch of young players there, a lot who have had a season of playing ones.”
The feeling is mutual with Turvey Park welcoming Cuthbert’s decision.
“We’re delighted to have Luke on board. We believe he’s a quality footballer and a quality person from a quality family,” Turvey Park president Stephen Stapleton said.
“We look forward to being a destination club for players like him and we think he’ll make a great role model for our under 17 and under 17.5 players.”
The Bulldogs are hoping to announce a successor to coach Truman Carroll in the next couple of weeks.
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