John McIntyre joins Jack Anthony as Stawell Warriors’ most recent recruit.
McIntyre played in the VAFA for Marcellin Old Collegians from 2010 to 2016 before taking a year off from the game to travel.
The Melbourne-based footballer also played two seasons of representative football in the TAC Cup for the Oakleigh Chargers in 2008 2009.
The 26-year-old said he is looking forward to his first taste of country football.
“I was looking for a bit of a change with my footy, so country footy appealed to me a bit,” he said.
McIntyre’s parents made the move to Stawell in January this year. He said their move to the town played a key part in his decision to join the Warriors.
“Having Mum and Dad to be able to watch me every week was a bit of a drawing point,” he said.
“After a year off I figured it would be the perfect opportunity to try something different.
The Warriors have been very active this off-season, making multiple big name recruits including former AFL player Jack Anthony.
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McIntyre said he is looking forward to playing with the former Magpie.
“He is a super recruit for the club,” he said.
“It will be a great opportunity to learn from someone like him.”
McIntyre will continue to work in Melbourne but travel for games on weekends. While he is yet to meet his new teammates he said he is excited to hit the track with them. “I’m really eager to come up and meet everyone,” he said.
“It is a pretty young group so generally young guys are pretty committed to their footy which excites me.
“I always hear about country footy clubs and leagues and how they bring towns together so I can’t wait to get involved in that environment.”
Along with the introductions of McIntyre and Anthony, the Warriors will welcome back a cast of former players.
After North Ballarat’s exit from the VFL, former Rooster Tom Taurau makes his way back to home club Stawell in 2018.
Young athlete Tom Walker will also don the red and black next season after spending 2017 away from the game.
2017 Greater Western Victoria Rebels players Jackson Taurau and Naish McRoberts will be able to fully commit to the Warriors after sharing their time between the TAC Cup and WFL competitions this season.
Alongside their new recruits, the Warriors will also be bolstered by the returns of Damian Joiner and Sam Williams who missed most of the 2017 season due to injury.
Stawell president Tim Williams said it is exciting to have a full list coming together.
“We have done pretty much all of our recruiting now and we are pretty happy with who we have gotten,” he said.
“We have a good solid list of players going into next year.”
