Stawell Warrior Jamie Bach returned "home" this season, to a club which has cemented a place in the young footballer's life.
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Bach made the move in 2018 and played a season for Moyston-Willaura in the Mininera League.
Reaching a point during the 2017 season at the Warriors, Bach knew within himself it was time for a change.
"I was in the process of moving towns and couldn't commit to playing senior football at Stawell," he said.
"I thought the timing was right to make a change in where I play football.
"It was a pretty tough decision. All I knew was Stawell Warriors. That's where I played all my junior and senior football and built some pretty strong relationships within the club."
Bach said when the decision came he also found himself in a bit of a "slump" when referencing his game.
"I felt like I was going through the motions, just the same old thing," he said.
"I love Stawell, and always will. I wasn't finding a position on the field I could settle in to.
"I was struggling to find the motivation to be up at that Wimmera League level of football.
"In reality, turning up to football was becoming a bit of a chore because I was getting frustrated with myself."
Bach said although he enjoyed his time playing for Moyston-Willaura he couldn't turn down the lure to come back "home".
"I learned a lot about leadership and the player that I was while I was there," he said.
"We were quite a young team and I went in as a more experienced player.
"There were different roles offered but at the time I just wanted to play football and enjoy being around the football environment.
"Despite still living in Geelong when Stawell coach Damian Joiner rang me to ask if I would be interested in coming back, it was hard to say no."
Seeing the club through some times of struggle on the field, Bach said knowing some of his close friends were playing at the Warriors was enough to want to share in the success he feels Stawell could achieve.
Work commitments have stopped Bach from returning to Stawell this season for many training sessions, but he still connects with the players via social media and phone calls.
"By the time Saturday comes around I'm pretty excited to get out there with all the boys and get onto the ground," he said.
"I keep in contact with a lot of the fellas during the week. I make myself available to any of the players at any time if they need to chat.
"The relationship that the team has built over the pre-season and this year is a really positive one.
"I never feel out of the loop with whatever is going on. Everything is talked about on an open basis which is really good."
Reflecting over his career, Bach said he feels football was bred into him.
"I was born with a football in my hand you could say," he said.
"With both my parents being heavily involved with the sport it's something I've always been around. Football, more importantly, the Stawell Warriors, has always been positive in my life.
"Even though I found that little bit of a slump, that was on me."
Bach said it was the close relationships built over many years with people at the club and around the Stawell which drove his passion.
"I'm lucky enough when I walk up the street in Stawell people will pull you aside for 15 minutes and ask how you went on the weekend," he said.
"You know it means a lot to the community. To stop and chat with those who love the club or ones who might not be able to get to the game goes a long way."
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