Two-time Redan premiership player Leigh Ryall is coming out of retirement to play with Rokewood-Corindhap in the Central Highlands Football League next year.
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Ryall will play under former North Ballarat Roosters VFL teammate Shaune Moloney, who has joined the Grasshoppers as joint senior coach.
Ryall is the first signing since Moloney was appointed to coach in partnership with Damon Delaney.
“I have no doubt he can play a role (on and off the field). He’s an ideal person...a role model.”
- Rokewood-Corindhap joint coach Shaune Moloney
The 38-year-old Ryall last played seniors with Redan in the Ballarat Football League in 2016. He has filled in for the Lions’ reserves a couple of times since.
Ryall has no doubt he has plenty to offer Rokewood-Corinhap as a player and in a mentoring role for young teammates.
“I’m confident I can lead by example (as a player) and pass on my experience.”
Ryall said he had always been fit and did not see his age as a barrier in any sense.
He said two years away from the game had also freshened him up mentally for one last stint.
Being originally from Kyabram, Ryall said he liked the idea of again playing with a country club and now having his young family involved.
He said living at Napoleons also fitted in well with the move to the club at the southern end of the CHFL.
Ryall said his reasons for making the move were no unlike Moloney, with a desire to get involved at grassroots.
Moloney said he was delighted Rokewood-Corindhap was getting a player of Ryall’s experience on board.
“I have no doubt he can play a role (on and off the field).
“He’s an ideal person...a role model.”
Moloney said Ryall had been a great person when they played together at North Ballarat more than a decade ago.
“He helped build a culture at the Roosters which went on to be integral in capturing three premierships.
“I have no doubt about that.”
While Ryall left North Ballarat before the VFL flags, Ryall went on to play in Redan’s 2009 and 2011 premiership teams.
Moloney is confident the arrival of Ryall is just the start of a busy off-season for Rokewood-Corindhap on the football and netball front.
Moloney said at the time of his appointment he was looking to have a holistic approach, with an involvement across all aspects of the club – including netball.
He said on the football front, the Grasshoppers were set to have a high player retention rate, which would also provide a sound foundation for next season.
They won three games this year.