YOU can take the boy out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the boy.
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It’s an expression that’s been true of many Ovens and Murray footballers and none more so than Wodonga Raiders recruit Adam Flagg.
The Ardlethan product returned to the Border after an injury-hit season with SANFL club South Adelaide, which yielded just 14 goals from 11 reserves matches.
While South Adelaide was keen for Flagg to stay, a desire to be closer to be family and friends proved too strong for the former Lavington star, who kicked 71 goals in 34 matches in the O and M from 2013-14.
Flagg, 22, is now living with 18-year-old brother Lachie, who joined the Raiders from the Northern Jets, and working with his new coach Daryn Cresswell.
“I played some good games at South Adelaide but I was playing catch-up all year and it was hard to find some consistency,” he said.
“Obviously over there the seniors is very strong and ideally you’d need to stay over there for a length of time to crack it.
“You’ve really got to earn your stripes but I probably didn’t have the patience and was more keen to come back around home.
“I’m loving it, I really missed the Border and am happy to be back here.
“I missed the football here and the lifestyle suits me, being close to the farm back home, I’m living with my brother and my sister is in Melbourne.
“The lifestyle is definitely better here and you play better football when you’re enjoying where you are.”
The left-footer copped a two-match suspension for striking following his debut for the Raiders against Wangaratta before suffering a hip injury against Corowa-Rutherglen in round four.
Flagg will play his third match for the season when the Raiders host Wangaratta Rovers at Birallee Park on Saturday.
“I’m really keen to get back, I think I can offer a bit across that centre half-forward area and hopefully free Jydon Neagle up a bit and add another string to our bow,” he said.
“Hopefully we can get a bit of a roll on because I think we’ve started to play some really good football over the past three or four weeks.
“I think if we can put it together we can give any side a shake.”
The Raiders were impressive in defeat against Albury but desperately need a win to avoid slipping to 2-5. The Rovers have made a strong start to the season, sitting two games clear inside the top five with a 4-2 record.
Sam Carpenter (hamstring) and Connor Shanley (achilles) will miss for the Hawks but Shane Gaston has overcome an ankle injury.
