GLENTHOMPSON-DUNKELD’S pursuit of a return to finals has taken a big step forward after the Rams signed former Hamilton Kangaroo, Tom Waters, as playing-coach for 2023.

Waters is in the midst of a return to the region after playing in Melbourne before spending the 2021 season at Ocean Grove.

The 28-year-old said the initial reason for moving back was to open a business, with football an afterthought.

“Probably all played out over about a month or so, once the idea of moving back started flowing, that was the priority and then it was lucky enough that a good friend, Jack Kennedy, was able to put me in contact with Loges (club president, Damien Logan),” he said.

“The coaching side of things wasn’t on my radar up until about a month ago.

“My friend said Glenthompson-Dunkeld was looking for a coach and from there, the ball got rolling, spoke to a few others and the club got in touch.

“I gave myself a week to have a think … it was just the right time for me to move into a more senior role within a footy club to dive in the deep end and take on a new challenge.”

It will be the first coaching role for the former local, who will line up predominantly in the forward line during games.

He is still a few weeks away from returning, with the club hosting sessions already, as he sets his sights on a mid-January start at the club.

With the club’s last Mininera and District Football League senior finals appearance in 2018, Waters is hopeful of a return to the top five sooner rather than later.

“Obviously country footy runs a lot deeper than wins and losses, so will definitely be looking to forge some good relationships, but definitely looking at playing finals again,” he said.

“We will hope to add a few key personnel from around the area and the key will be just getting on the front foot.

“There is people within the region who I will be linking up with, and a couple of guys I am friends with in the Geelong who I will try to twist their arm to come and play as well.”

Adding to the appeal is Waters’ grandparent, John Waters, won a premiership with Glenthompson in 1978.

“It wasn’t at the forefront of my mind, but we realized it during and after the decision and it added to the feeling afterwards,” Waters said.