While his East Point team-mates will have the year off, Joel Ottavi is back in full preparation for a new football season.
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Ottavi will again line-up for Williamstown in a modified VFL competition early next month.
"I can't wait. I really want to get into it," the 24-year-old said.
"It's been a extra long wait and there's definitely extra motivation."
Ottavi is in his fourth year on a VFL list, having joined the standalone Seagulls last year after two seasons with Essendon.
With the Bombers part of an AFL club, opportunities were limited and Ottavi managed just five VFL games with them.
What this did do though was enable the key forward to play most of 2018 with East Point and be a member of the Roos' first Ballarat Football League premiership side.
That changed dramatically with the move to Williamstown.
While he retained East Point as his home club, he managed just two games there as he cemented a permanent spot in the Seagulls line-up.
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Ottavi said he could not wished for a better outcome.
"It one of the best (football) moves I've made.
"I want to play the best football I can and Williamstown's given me that chance."
Ottavi said while the COVID-19 shutdown had not been easy - especially given it had started right near the end of the pre-season with practice matches already under their belt and just a couple of months after he had relocated to Melbourne to live - the players had kept in close contact.
He said physically the focus had been on strength and conditioning, and with plenty of motivation to stay fit most players were as fit as ever.
Ottavi said after so much solo work, it was great to back training in groups.
He said the Seagulls had initially returned with one session a week, but had now moved to three times a week.
FORMER Greater Western Rebels captain and best and fairest Cal Wellings is continuing his VFL career with Sandringham.
Wellings spent two years with Coillingwood's VFL program.
He has Old Brighton as his home club this year.
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