IT'S taken a while, but persistence has paid off for Barellan after finally being successful in their quest to lure Ashleigh O'Leary from Charles Sturt University as their first grade coach.
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The 23-year-old, who won the Marilyn Brooks Medal as the Farrer League's best and fairest with the Bushsows in 2019, has been on the Two Blues' radar for some time.
Personal circumstances have convinced the gun defender now is the right time to take over after gaining coaching experience with CSU's lower grades, including a B-grade premiership in 2019.
"It (coaching at Barellan) has been an option for a few years for me. I've turned them down quite a bit, probably three times I think," the former CSU captain said.
"I've been based in Wagga for Uni so it wasn't a very sensible choice for me then, but now I've graduated and am living in Barellan with my boyfriend.
"It seemed like the best option for me without spreading myself too thin. CSU wanted me back and I was set to play for them, but I thought about the logistics a bit more and that I'd only make one training a week, and I'm the kind of person who's dedicated to doing everything in a team.
"I'm very grateful of the opportunities they gave me and they're understanding of my reasons."
Barellan has a young squad which won two of 16 games in 2019, before last year's competition was called off.
Two Blues youngster Paige Kenny was runner-up to O'Leary in the 2019 best and fairest count and she's excited at the prospect of helping mould their young talent.
"I've never been an A grade coach or a playing coach so there is a challenge ahead of me, but I have a great foundation of friends and supporters at Barellan that will be willing to help me along the way," she said.
"Paige is a very talented young player and there's a number of others coming through as well. I look forward to imparting some of my knowledge on them.
"I'm looking forward to working with the people that have been in the club a few years and keeping the girls in the district."
O'Leary said she had made enquiries to other players about joining her at Barellan, but is content to work with the base talent at the club.
"I've never had to actively seek out players before. I've asked a few people but as far as I can tell most are already organised for the season," she said.
"My announcement only came out (late last week) so that may spark some interest."
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