Recently departed Griffith midfielder Jordan Iudica admits he leaves the Swans with a heavy heart and one major regret.
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Iudica's departure from Griffith was made official last weekend when he signed with AFL Canberra club Queanbeyan after four seasons with the Swans.
The 26-year-old established himself as one of the Riverina League's best, highlighted by a win in the 2018 Player of the Year award and two best and fairests at Griffith.
Iudica explained it was a difficult decision to leave Griffith and revealed he still loses sleep over the two grand final losses.
"Yeah absolutely it was (a hard decision)," Iudica said.
"I still lay awake at night sometimes thinking about the last two years and what happened. I just think about certain times in the game and what I could have done differently.
"I think about when Wagga got three goals up and looking over the ground and thinking no we've done it again. To have two bites at the cherry and we didn't get it done makes it hard.
"I was fairly invested to Griffith and as a recruit I felt there was some weight on your shoulders to get it done. When it mattered most, when it counts, I didn't have the best of games. I think a lot about the two games and what I could have done."
Iudica said Griffith will always hold a special place in his heart and did not rule out a return to the Swans in the future.
"I loved it. People go on holidays or go overseas and this might sound weird but Griffith was my happy place. I love going there," he said.
"I can honestly say there is not one person in that place that I didn't like. I loved it and the club and town couldn't have done any more for me.
"I tried to give back as much as I could and giving them a premiership would have been the ultimate but I'm hoping I did leave some mark at Griffith and the RFL because I can't speak highly enough of the club."
While many expected Iudica to stay in Canberra next season, he said he seriously considered a permanent move to Griffith.
In the end, he decided it was too much to upend his life in Canberra and make the move at this point in his life.
"The travel was a bit much so it was either move to Griffith or stay home," he said.
"I had to weigh up everything and made the decision in the last week. Unfortunately it wasn't with Griffith but it's going to be a new, exciting challenge, it should be good."
Iudica will reunite with former Griffith coach Adrian Pavese at Queanbeyan.
As much as Iudica loved Griffith, it is fair to say the feeling was mutual with the Swans thanking him for his service and crediting him for playing a big part in helping the club return to finals, along with his junior development work.
The Swans have now lost two of their most experienced players with former coach Guy Orton signing at Farrer League club Coleambally.
The club hopes to finalise it's coaching appointments within the week.
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