DIMBOOLA recruit Ash Clugston could not have asked for a better return to the green and gold at the weekend.
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In his first game for Dimboola since 2007, Clugston booted a career-high nine majors in a best-on-ground performance in the Roos’ 81-point win over Stawell.
It was a good reward after putting in the hard yards under new coach Stuart Farr over the pre-season.
“I haven’t really been involved in such a hard pre-season before,” he said.
“I haven’t missed very many training sessions either.”
The enigmatic half-forward, 27, said he loved being back at Dimboola and could not wait to take on the Demons on Sunday.
“There’s a positive buzz around the club at the moment,” he said.
“We’re all looking forward to the hit-out against Horsham – it should be a massive challenge for us.”
He played with Mallee Football League side Jeparit-Rainbow for the past five seasons, but always planned to make a comeback to Dimboola.
“The plan was to play in the Wimmera league again before I got too old,” he said.
“I played four seasons at Dimboola before a switched to Jeparit-Rainbow.”
Clugston, a best and fairest winner at Jeparit-Rainbow and Dimboola, said he had never won a senior football premiership.
But one highlight sticks out to him in his career.
“Playing alongside my three brothers – Heath, Simon and Tom – while at Jeparit-Rainbow was really special,” he said.
“But my one and only aim is to win a grand final.
“Horsham and Warrack Eagles probably dropped off a bit and we have recruited well without losing too many players, so things are looking up.”