LUKE Gestier won't be rushing back into coaching.
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Although the talented left-footer coached Collingullie Glenfield Park to a premiership and grand final in his three seasons with the club, it took a toll.
The 30-year-old had had enough of worrying about everyone else as well as battling his own injury concerns.
"Coaching is good and I loved it particularly with a bit of success that came our way at 'Gullie', but at the end of last year it was getting hard," Gestier said.
"I was questioning where I wanted to go with my footy.
"I was struggling to find the enjoyment.
"'Gullie' was great but I needed to do something else."
So he did.
I've got a new lease on life to be honest. I'm just enjoying rocking up and having a kick
- Luke Gestier
He opted to join several of his former Lavington teammates including coach Matt Sharp at Holbrook and was all set to play for the Brookers before the coronavirus pandemic struck down the Hume league.
Gestier was then approached about returning to original club Wagga Tigers and, after some serious thought, decided to give it a go.
After starting the year in defence, Gestier has been pushed forward in recent weeks and kicked nine goals including the matchwinner against Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong.
"I've got a new lease on life to be honest," he sad.
"I'm just enjoying rocking up and having a kick.
"With coaching at times you don't have the time to put into your body which is fine but I have changed things up with my training and pretty much rebuilt my body.
"I've struggled with hamstrings since I did my knee (at Lavington) and I'm just enjoying being injury-free again.
"It's been bloody good."
While Gestier was happy to start the season in the backline after several Wagga Tigers defenders were unable to play due to Victorian travel restrictions, his eyes lit up when coach Troy Maiden pushed him forward against Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong.
It's little wonder with Brayden O'Hara, Jake Gaynor and Shaun Campbell being on a roll in the midfield.
"They have made a big difference since coming into the side," he said.
"Our first loss against Osborne seems like a year ago now but the competition is so tight you can't afford to relax.
"I'm just taking it for what it is at the moment."
Gestier played under-18s for Wagga Tigers in 2006 before playing senior football for the club in 2007 and 2008 while schooling in Melbourne.
Wagga Tigers will be chasing their fourth successive win when it takes on Turvey Park at Robertson Oval on Saturday.
