Launceston has enticed another former player back to the club with Jake Rice returning from Bridgenorth.
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The 26-year-old was a staple on the wing during his first stint at the Blues and played 51 senior games before missing 2018 with a shoulder reconstruction.
The left-footer spent two seasons in the NTFA - helping the Parrots to the 2019 grand final - before returning for day one of pre-season at Windsor Park late last year.
"It was pretty good to play a senior grand final - I hadn't played in one yet so it was good to get my confidence back to come back to this level and have another crack at it," Rice said.
"The shoulder's really good now, I've got more confidence to play in this league with the stronger bodies, so I'm coming back while I've got the motivation to do it at this level.
"It's coming out of my comfort zone to do it because I'm pretty happy to play at Bridgenorth, but when [Launceston coach Mitch Thorp] came and approached me I thought I may as well have a crack at it."
A former Riverside primary and high student, Rice has set out to earn the respect of his new teammates in pre-season and consequently find his way back into the senior set-up.
The truck driver hopes to fill the midfield and half-back vacancy left by Jared Dakin, who will play with Marty Mattner's Sturt in the SANFL this season.
"I'm 26 now - I want to play at least until I'm 30 and then I can go back and play country footy and finish off my career where I played the last couple of years at," Rice said.
"At least I'll know I've done my max effort here and gave it my best otherwise I'd look back and go 'I wish I'd gone back'."
Rice said the Blues' playing group had "changed totally" since he left, with several familiar faces helping integrate him back into the club.
"Dylan Riley - I love playing with him, he's good to watch and always strives to be better. Hamish Leedham is another good character around the club, he loves being around the club.
"The culture we've got is really good, they've got a really good family here so I just love that, how close they are.
"It's your second home and you spend a lot of time here so I want to build that respect back where I left off and play senior footy again."
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Hamish Geale
Hamish Geale is a senior reporter at The Examiner. Got good news? Email: hgeale@examiner.com.au
Hamish Geale is a senior reporter at The Examiner. Got good news? Email: hgeale@examiner.com.au
