NT Thunder footballer Ben Taylor will return to his hometown of Stawell this month.
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Taylor moved to Darwin after accepting a position to play football with NTFL club St Mary's this time last year and was offered a position to play for NEAFL team NT Thunder during the Victorian football season.
Taylor has decided to have a break from football after playing for three seasons in a row.
"I had been thinking about my next move for the past couple of months because it was coming to the back end of the season," he said.
"Initially I was thinking I would stay and do another six months of NTFL.
"I started getting a bit homesick and I knew I was ready to make a decision. It wasn't a hard decision to make in the end - I was pretty satisfied and proud of what I had achieved within the 12 months of being away.
"Playing three seasons of football in a row is pretty taxing on the body."
Taylor said he felt his football had evolved during his time away.
"Being in the NT Thunder program has improved my football," he said.
"You learn a lot of little things when you go in every day.
"They all add up. It's not only things you learn on the field but off the field as well - it's a good program to be in and you mature a lot as a person."
Despite stepping out of his comfort zone and moving 3500 kilometres from home, Taylor said he was thankful for the opportunity.
"I've met all these lovely people up here and I know I"m welcome to come back whenever I want is a nice position to be in," he said.
"Everyone has understood my decision to move back home and has been supportive.
"It's a big committment living away from home - especially as far away as Darwin."
Taylor said he had not thought about the next move for his football career but will just enjoy some time off.
"I've kept in touch with a few of the boys while I've been away but not much footy talk has gone on," he said.
"I'm keen to just have a break and maybe make a decision next year."
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