Coleambally's excitement at bringing Sam Hopper to the Farrer League was shortlived after the former Leeton-Whitton footballer was given the opportunity to study in Albury.
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Ovens and Murray League club Lavington have submitted a clearance for Hopper and teammate Coopa Steele, who were both part of Leeton-Whitton's grand final team in the AFL Riverina Championship last year.
Hopper said it was a hard decision, and an even harder phone call to make, to call off his planned switch to Coleambally.
"I got into uni over here to study teaching," Hopper said.
"At the end of last year (when I signed with Coleambally) I didn't think it was an option but it's something I want to pursue. It was a tough decision but just one of those things I thought I had to do. It's more of a career choice than anything.
"It wasn't a good phone call to make. I've never been the sort of person to commit to something and then pull out but Luke (Coleambally co-coach Luke Hillier) took it really well. He understood.
"I don't really like letting people down and the opportunity to play with Coly was really exciting because they've got a solid list but I couldn't see myself travelling back to play, taking the spot of a guy training twice a week."
The onset of COVID-19 last year reminded Hopper of the importance of a stable career and when his uni chance came he said he had to jump at it.
As a 17-year-old, Hopper played part of a season with Lavington's under 18s and reserves, and his brother Zac has also played with the Panthers, so they were the obvious choice once he decided to move.
"I really enjoyed it, they're an awesome club and with their upgrade of facilities, it's a good set-up. When I was living here I was living with the president and his wife, so it was a pretty easy decision to make," he said.
He's hoping to secure a spot on the wing or a half-back-flank but is just focussed on a strong pre-season to try to impress coach Simon Curtis.
Steele, who is in the Greater Western Sydney Giants under 19 academy squad, has also joined Lavington.
"Coops had a pretty solid year last year. He missed a few games because of the Giants Academy but when he did play with the Crows, he was very good," Hopper said.
"He's got a good footy mind and knows where to be. He's been going well at training. He'll still have his Giants commitments but depending on what he does there, he's definitely got the potential to have a crack at the ones in the O and M and make a name for himself here."
Steele played seven games, and kicked three goals in their preliminary final win against Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong.
Hopper featured in nine games with the Crows last year and enjoyed a top five finish in their club best-and-fairest.
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