SOUTH Bendigo’s clearance saga over Nathan Horbury has come to an end, with the star midfielder to pull the boots back on for Ballarat league club Redan.
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The Bloods and Redan have been locked in a clearance battle since Horbury signed as an assistant coach with South Bendigo in December last year.
However, Horbury – who was best on ground for Ballarat against Bendigo in last year’s inter-league clash – is contracted to Redan this season and the Lions stated from the outset that he was a required player in 2016.
Horbury’s bid to leave Redan was last week dismissed by an AFL Victoria area appeals committee.
In the wake of the dismissal and following discussions with the Bloods, Horbury has chosen to return to Redan this season, rather than sit out a season of football.
Having played in all South Bendigo’s practice matches and assisted coach Brady Childs on the bench in the first three games of the BFNL season, Horbury will line up for Redan against East Point on Saturday.
“I’ve had a long think about it and decided that I’ll have a kick again at Redan. I’m only 24 and it’s probably a bit silly to be sitting out a year of footy,” Horbury said.
“It’s a bit easier (going back to Redan) because I’ve still got some good friends at the club and my brother plays there, but it’s certainly a bit weird and at the end of the day, I just want to play footy.”
Horbury is the partner of South Bendigo netballer Hollie Frew, whose brother, Daniel Frew, plays with the Bloods.
The personal link to the club and assistant coach opportunity were the key reasons in him wanting to join the Bloods.
Horbury – who will reassess his playing future at the end of the season – says he won’t sign another football contract again, having also been caught up in a clearance issue last year when he was on North Ballarat’s VFL list.
“It has been no fault of anyone’s but my own, so I have to take the blame and get better at it… I’m very disappointed I can’t be playing with South,” Horbury said.
While Horbury lines up for Redan on Saturday, the Bloods will be at the QEO chasing their first win of the season against Kangaroo Flat, which has won its past two.
Saturday’s game will be played under the banner of Pink Sports Day when the Bloods will show their support for the Breast Cancer Network Australia.