MORE often than not a 26-year-old stepping out of the SANFL and into the Ovens and Murray has played his best football.
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But that doesn’t appear the case with Albury recruit Brayden O’Hara.
O’Hara joins the Tigers fresh from a best on ground in his last match for Central District, winning the club’s best and fairest and finishing seventh in the Magarey Medal.
“It’s my first full year in four seasons,” O’Hara said.
“It was good to play the entire season.
“I did my collarbone and then my hip so it was good to put that behind me and play some consistent football.
“I was impressed with the way Albury is set up and obviously it’s been very successful playing in the past five grand finals so I’m keen to get over there.”
O’Hara was put in touch with Albury by Central District teammate and former Tiger Sam Milne who managed 13 senior appearances in his first season in the SANFL.
He admits it was a tough call leaving the club where he played in three flags and more than 100 senior matches in the state’s top competition.
“It’s probably one of the hardest decisions I have had to make,” he said.
“I love playing for Central District.
“But it’s really hard to have a long distance relationship and with my job I was probably the easier one to move.
“Sammy Milne filled me in a fair bit and he’s probably the one who got me to Albury in the first place.”
O’Hara plans to relocate to the Border next month and is looking forward to playing in a midfield that will again be one of the most formidable in the Ovens and Murray.
While the ball-magnet is yet to talk in depth with co-coaches Chris Hyde and Daniel Maher, he attended Albury’s best and fairest last month and liked the vibe.
“I’m looking forward to it,” he said.