GANMAIN-Grong Grong-Matong youngsters Riley Corbett and Matt Hamblin have delayed their plans to step up to state league football to re-sign with the Lions for next year.
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Corbett, Hamblin, hard-nosed midfielder Aaron Proctor and skipper Ben Walsh have all re-committed for next year's Riverina League season in a big boost for the club.
Corbett took time to consider some offers from the SANFL, but decided another year with the Lions was his best option after knee and ankle injuries restricted him to around ten games the past two seasons.
Outside midfielder Hamblin polled 11 votes in just five games to win the AFL Riverina Championship's best-and-fairest award this season.
The 17-year-old received interest from SANFL and Ovens and Murray clubs, but has opted for another year at GGGM to develop his football and body.
GGGM president Jason Hamblin said Proctor was a priority re-signing, with his ability to win the tough ball in packs a major element in their set-up.
"He's got a great work ethic on the training track, he's taking all the drills that have to do with upper body strength and he's a real leader at the club," He's a real hard in and under player," he said.
Corbett injured his ankle in round two and didn't return until the preliminary final loss against Leeton-Whitton.
His 2019 NEAFL season with Canberra Demons was also heavily disrupted by a knee injury suffered at training on the eve of the season.
"I thought I was working toward this season pretty well and it (injury) was disappointing," Corbett said.
"I'd like to have a crack at a state league soon, but I thought I'd put it off until I get everything sorted work and uni-wise.
"I'm pretty keen to head over in the next couple of years and this year is about setting me up for that. I'll try to get back to the footy I was playing in 2018 and get my body right, then give it a crack.
"I definitely had to think about it (going elsewhere), but Ganmain is probably a more comfortable place to be at this year, especially with the injuries I've had."
Hamblin said son Matt had a similar mindset when deciding to stay at home for another 12 months.
"I didn't pressure him or anything like that, he's still got a lot of growth in his footy and he could have gone away and played at a higher standard," he said.
"There's been offers from Ovens and Murray and over in South Australia, he just thought he needed another year of senior football here before he goes away and test himself against the big boys."
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