CUP and League-winning striker Nagus Henry has re-signed with Wodonga Diamonds and could be in the starting line-up as early as this Sunday for the Cup final rematch with Myrtleford.
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The Englishman found the back of the net 27 times last year and his ability to hold the ball up created countless opportunities for others.
Henry was one of many of last year’s double winners to be included in the team of the past decade at Diamonds’ 40th anniversary dinner on Saturday night.
He had been with Cobram Victory earlier this year but parted company despite scoring four goals in as many games.
His return further boosts the defending champion’s stocks, with Melbourne-based midfielder Jedd Gvozdenovic also returning to La Trobe in recent weeks.
Henry, now living in Mansfield, said he was just happy to be pulling on the boots again.
“It’s a semi-professional league up there but it just didn’t work out,” he said.
“I’m just glad to be coming back to Diamonds and I have been in contact with (coach) Jimmy Bell for some time.
“I’m fit and ready to go.
“It’s just a matter of whether the gaffer (coach) picks me in the starting line-up.”
Bell said the return of Henry was a bonus for the club and a headache for the selectors.
“You are not going to knock back a player like Nagus wanting to come to your club,” he said.
“But he may have to come back through the reserves or even off the bench given our recent form.
“The loss of players like Jedd and Nagus and injuries in the early part of the season has meant we have been forced to blood some of our younger players in seniors and the effect of that has been outstanding wins at our two most recent games.
“You know the saying ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’.
“The clearance has already been organised so it will be great to have him there for the Cup final re-match against Myrtleford.
“If we can get Dan Millynn (ankle) and Jesse Stephens (shoulder) fit, we are looking to have a team that is equal to, if not stronger than, last year.
“But football is a week-to-week game — a spate of injuries and we could be back to square one.”
Diamonds now sit in a three-way tie for third with Melrose and this weekend’s opponent Myrtleford.
The trio are six points adrift of ladder leaders Twin City Wanderers.
