THE seed was planted in Chris Willis' mind that he would love to play for Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes again watching them play finals last year.
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And while it took a global pandemic for it to eventuate, the 37-year-old ruckman wants to help the highly-fancied Goannas press for a flag in the six-team AFL Riverina Championship.
Willis was set to play for Corowa this year, but after the Ovens and Murray League was cancelled MCUE was always his preferred option.
"It will be good to play with Jeremy (Rowe, Goannas coach) too, I last played with him in under-18s," Willis said.
"I was pretty impressed with his coaching last year in finals, they may have beaten Ganmain I reckon in one of the finals.
"I mentioned to him then that I wouldn't mind coming back if it worked out, and here we are."
The Goannas are expected to be one of the main premiership contenders with Hunter Lloyd, Tim Smith and Matt Collins heading a strong defence, while Harry Collins and Tom Keogh add potency to the midfield.
"I thought it was very professionally run and saw it as a very positive environment, which I knew it was knowing a lot of the blokes," Willis said of last year's final.
"I could see a group that was on the edge of going to the next level. The club has always been strong, I just think there's a different determination in the guys currently.
"When we got the word Corowa wasn't going to play, I was straight on the phone to Rowey and it's always good to be back at your home club, having a kick and seeing everybody."
Willis has played the past few seasons at Henty, and also enjoyed stints at North Wagga, Culcairn and even Dallas in the United States.
He believes the short and sharp season will suit the older players to the ground, starting with Saturday's home clash against Leeton-Whitton.
"You don't go into any season thinking you're going to be in the bottom two. We've got a good list, it's up for grabs," he said.
"With this short format you don't have long to get everything right, it's who can adapt best to that.
"It should be ideal for a bloke a bit older, and to a degree put everyone on the same playing field."
But one thing's for sure. You won't see much of Willis in defence.
"I'll be playing ruck or forward, definitley not down back," he laughed.
Leeton-Whitton have picked up several quality players and are also expected to be highly competitive after picking up last year's Riverina League wooden spoon.
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