AFTER five seasons away, superboot Grant Weeks is returning to his home club Colbinabbin for its centenary season next year.
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One of country football’s most prolific goalkickers, Weeks confirmed on Wednesday he would again don the green and gold of the Grasshoppers in the Heathcote District Football League in 2015.
Weeks last played for the Grasshoppers in 2009 - the year in which he kicked 124 goals and Colbinabbin lost the grand final to Heathcote by four points.
In the five seasons since, he has spent three at Golden Square - playing in a hat-trick of Bendigo league flags - and two at Rochester, kicking a combined 627 goals.
“I really enjoyed my past two years at Rochester, but with next year being the 100th for Colbinabbin, it’s something I really wanted to be part of,” Weeks said.
“Living out here in the community, it’s going to be a big year so hopefully, I can have an impact and kick a few goals.”
The Grasshoppers have finished sixth the past two seasons under coach Phil Morgan - missing the finals both times on percentage - but should be be significantly stronger next year.
As well as Weeks, the Grasshoppers also have defender Tom Hill returning from a season at Rochester, as well as Luke Hill coming back to the club and gun midfielder Sam Vale will be just like a new recruit after missing all of this year with a knee injury.
“There’s a lot of young talent already at the club, and with a bit of experience coming back to the club, hopefully, it will hold us in good stead and we can win a few more games,” said Weeks, who played in the Grasshoppers’ 2004 premiership as a 16-year-old.
“I’ve left on really good terms with Rochester and they understand the significance of the centenary season for Colbinabbin, but I’ve still got a desire to go back and play major league football with them.”
For the fifth time in his past six seasons, Weeks booted the ton this year, kicking 103 goals for Rochester, which was knocked out of the Goulburn Valley league premiership race by Tatura in an elimination final.
Grasshoppers coach Phil Morgan said the signing of not only Weeks, but the return of Tom and Luke Hill and Vale overcoming his knee injury was a massive bonus for the club entering its centenary year.
“We need to kick more goals, so hopefully, Weeksy can sharpen us up in that area, but getting the other three lads back as well is equally as important,” Morgan said.
“It caps off what we’ve tried to do in playing our locals and trying to get back players who have played with us before, so we’re really excited with who we’ve been able to get back.”
• Since Weeks left Colbinabbin:
2010 - Golden Square: 157 goals.
2011 - Golden Square: 130 goals.
2012 - Golden Square: 164 goals (BFL record).
2013 - Rochester: 73 goals.
2014 - Rochester: 103 goals.