It has been a heck of a journey for outgoing Springbank champion Billy Driscoll.
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The new Navarre co-coach departs the region with one of the better footy resumes going around.
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He was a member of the Greater Western Victoria Rebels, then the North Ballarat Rebels, between 2003 and 2005.
He joined VFL side North Ballarat Roosters in 2008 and played in three-consecutive premierships with the side.
From there, he joined Springbank in the Central Highlands Football League, where he played over 100 games and won two premierships.
As he departs the Ballarat region in footy terms for the first time since 2007, he said he has enjoyed the lifestyle that country footy has offered him here.
"I've enjoyed the country lifestyle, as in football lifestyle, I just really enjoy that," he said.
"I suppose we got a real good taste of that when we were at North even though we were playing a decent standard of footy in the VFL, we still had a lot of blokes that were that country mentality and even the Kangaroos boys that would come back.
"So I suppose we've been lucky enough to say that we've been playing country footy for for a long time and I think that sort of helps."
Looking back at a golden era of Roosters football, that Driscoll played a big part in, he has fond memories.
"It was fantastic, certainly a very good feeling to be able to play in any sort of premiership but to get three in a row at the highest level that we could play possibly and the second highest in Australia, it's not a bad feat," he said.
"As I said it was just very, very enjoyable week in, week out, so very fortunate to be able to do that."
Reminiscing on the last eight years with Springbank, Driscoll was full of praise for the club.
"Just been very fortunate that we could, you know, get to a country club like that and be successful, it's been a pleasure more than anything," he said.
"Even at times flying back and doing all that sort of stuff it was never a chore, it was always enjoyment to come back and do that.
"Each week you went out there to mix right from the junior football and see it all the way through, it was fantastic.
"I can't speak highly enough of the Springbank Football Club and what they've done for me, it's been a great ride and I'm forever in their debt, it's been really good."
Outgoing Springbank president Paddy O'Neil praised Driscoll for his ability to be a great club person as well as a star on the field.
Driscoll said it was an enjoyable experience for him around the club.
"It's easy to do when you're enjoying it, it's the same as anything, if you enjoy doing it you do anything to help them go further," he said.
"I think that was just sort of the scenario with not just myself but all the players there, they've got involvement in someway with the juniors, football or netball."
Driscoll said he hasn't ruled out a return to Springbank in the future in another role, however added returning to play is probably not going to happen.
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