Coolamon captain Mitch McKelvie has moved to Adelaide to trial with South Australian National Football League (SANFL) club Central District.

McKelvie will train with Cental District up until Christmas before both he and the club make a decision on the 2019 season.

McKelvie has already been in Adelaide for a week and is loving the experience so far.

“It’s solid. Very solid,” McKelvie said.

“They start off each training run with a nice running block to get you going. It’s enjoyable, even though it’s tough and it’s good to go to.”

McKelvie’s move comes at the same time Collingullie-Glenfield Park co-captain Jayden Klemke has decided on a move to the SANFL. 

The two-time Jim Quinn Medal winner has signed with West Adelaide.

McKelvie agreed initially to a trial so both he and the club could get a glimpse of each other before a full commitment was made.

Only a week in, McKelvie is keen to stay.

“I came over here to see how I like it and if I train well enough, the club can keep me on,” he said.

“So it’s a bit of a trial. Sam Milne talked me into it and there’s a connection there with Muzz Stephenson as well.

“I wanted to see how it was first myself. I’ve got a pretty good job, the boys are good at the club so I’ll probably stick around if the club want me to.”

McKelvie, 22, said the decision to make the move was not a hard one.

“It wasn’t that hard in the end," he said.

“I’ve finished my electrical apprenticeship so there wasn’t anything holding me back at home.

“I still have all the respect for the Coolamon Footy Club but I wanted to see how I go here while I’m young.”

McKelvie established himself as one of the most promising midfielders in the competition and took on Coolamon’s captaincy this year.

He is also a Riverina League representative player.

Despite an injury-interrupted season, McKelvie won Coolamon’s most consistent and player's player awards this year.

That was on the back of a runner up finish in Coolamon’s best and fairest last year.

He is the second significant departure for Coolamon over the off-season.

Assistant coach Marshal Macauley has also chosen to test himself at a higher level and joined Wodonga Bulldogs in the Ovens and Murray League.

The Hoppers have been busy, working hard to recruit and are expected to announce a major signing within the next week.

Jamie Maddox has joined Connor Neyland as co-coaches, while Mitch Robinson has returned from Northern Jets as the club’s coaching coordinator.

McKelvie joins Milne, Stephenson and Luke Habel as Riverina League footballers to join Central District.

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