HANWOOD grand final hero Joey Schirripa says his dream match-winning display on the big stage could be the perfect way to end playing as he weighs up whether to go around again in 2020.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The former A-League star was the difference in the decider against Lake Albert, scoring two brilliant goals in Hanwood's 2-1 win which capped a triumphant return to Wagga's Pascoe Cup.
It was a moment he thought would never come after he spent two seasons sidelined with a knee reconstruction.
"I'll just see how the year rolls out, I've got a busy year outside of football with a young family and other work commitments," Schirripa said.
"I'll try and keep myself in fairly good shape along the way and once Easter rolls around I'll see where I'm landing, where the club's at and go from there.
"I've told the football club that at this stage it's up in the air, plan without me at the moment and if things are settling nicely and I can get stuck into it, then I will.
"I don't want to come back half arsed."
Schirripa confirmed it had crossed his mind the way the grand final day unfolded could be the perfect exit point.
"A couple of years ago I had a knee reconstruction and was seriously considering whether I should keep playing football," he said.
"From saying I'll play local footy (in Griffith) and have a kick with mates, to playing in Wagga and doing what I did on final day, that doesn't happen often.
"It is something where you do sit back and think 'is that a sign?'. All my ducks landed in a row that day, so do I push my luck and go again because something like that will be very, very difficult to replicate."
Schirripa said the young talent is there to fill his boots should he choose to take the year off.
"There's some good young blood coming through so if they can step up and start filling roles like mine (it will help)," he said.
"I'm 37 and on the tail end. There's some 19 to 20 year olds that are lacking a bit of polish but they need to step up sometime."
Hanwood coach Anthony Agresta confirmed he will be at the helm again this season and is hopeful of coaxing Schirripa into playing once again.
"He's a bit on the fence at the moment and I like to think we can persuade him to go around again, but he's got a pretty young family," Agresta said.
"It's something in the next week or two we'll have to have a chat to him and see what we can come up with.
"I don't think he's talking about retiring, but whether he keeps going or has another break."
READ MORE
