CADE Mills didn’t have to be asked twice when Corowa-Rutherglen coach Peter Tossol asked him to return to the midfield last month.
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Even if it did come with a proviso.
Mills was used as a run-with player back in 2002-03 and, with Jake Ryan departing the club for Heidelberg, Tossol saw an opening for the premiership player to turn back the clock.
Wodonga Raiders star Mark Doolan was his first assignment, followed by Jamie Allan, Joel Mackie, Matt Shir and Bill Neely and today’s opponent looks set to be either Matt McDonald or Brad Horn at John Foord Oval.
“It’s a bit like back to the future,” Mills laughed.
“I started the year a little slowly and ‘Toss’ put me back in the midfield where I have enjoyed my footy the most over the years.
“It gets you involved and tackling has always been a big part of my game.
“When Toss last coached at Corowa-Rutherglen in 2002-03 he had Matt Witherden and myself doing run-with roles against players like Robbie Walker and Ben Hollands and the challenge was always there.”
Mills hasn’t lowered his colours over the past five matches and looms as a key player in Corowa-Rutherglen’s bid to bring down North Albury and remain in the hunt for September action.
“It’s a massive game. You look at the ladder and a win or loss can make a big difference tomorrow,’’ he said.
“As a club we probably feel we have been underrated a little and this is a good chance for us to win an eight-point game and stay in the mix for the finals.
“North Albury will be really keen as well and hopefully we are up for it.”
An underdone Corowa-Rutherglen were well beaten by North Albury in round 1 when Dan Leslie exploded with six goals and the Hopper captain again looks pivotal to the outcome.
Mills believes the difference between now and earlier in the season is the club’s second-tier players.
“We have been missing players like Chris Oliver and David Clark and managed to win without them,” he said.
“That’s an area we think has improved.
“Our third quarters have probably let us down for most of the season, but we spoke about that at Lavington and our second half was really good.”