Sunbury coach Travis Hodgson says he has total belief that Jarrah Maksymow can recapture the form that made him one of the Ballarat Football League's most dynamic players three years ago.
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The Lions have secured Maksymow in what they hope is one of the recruiting coups of the season as they strive for their first premiership since 2012.
The chance for a football redemption follows a fall from grace for Maksymow after his time at Bacchus Marsh when the player hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons over charges of affray and was released earlier this year from Junee jail.
"His ability is unquestioned. He's very good. I've seen him at his best. He deserves an opportunity.
"I have a lot of time for Jarrah not just as a footballer, but also as a person."
Hodgson said Maksymow was a good fit for Sunbury given the on-field leadership it had in place. "I believe we can get the best out of him."
READ MORE: Maksymow pleads guilty to affray
Hodgson will be hoping history repeats for him with Maksymow.
He recruited the power forward after the start of the 2016 season while in his first year coaching Bacchus Marsh and went on to take the Cobras to a flag - ironically defeating Sunbury in the grand final - with Maksymow playing a starring role.
Maksymow represented the BFL in 2017, but ultimately fell out with Bacchus Marsh before the start of the 2018 season with Hodgson still at the helm.
Maksymow kicked 37 goals in 12 games in the Cobras' premiership year.
He played with Henty in the Hume league last season, but is yet to step out this year.
Hodgson said Maksymow had shown he knew how to commit himself to football.
READ MORE: Jarrah Maksymow released by Cobras
"We're looking to him to make a significant difference."
He said naturally this was the key reason Sunbury had agreed to sign him.
Hodgson reinforced that Sunbury would need to be patient with Maksymow in terms of him being ready to play seniors.
He said it would depend on him getting up to match fitness.
"His form will tell us when he is ready.
"When he's in form, there's a lot to like about the way he plays.
Sunbury will have Maksymow, who has been cleared, line up in the reserves against Ballarat at Clarke Oval on Saturday. He has been named at full forward.
The Lions then face Sebastopol before having a bye.