HOWLONG midfielder Tim Brook didn’t have to be asked twice to return to Sandy Creek on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Brook’s last match at the ground was the 2015 grand final when he played in Tallangatta’s thrilling extra time victory over Kiewa-Sandy Creek.
The Hoppers had come from last the previous season to win the most pulsating TDFL grand final in recent history.
Brook admits it will be a special feeling running back on to the ground in Hume league colours against his former league.
“It will be great getting back there,” Brook said.
“That game was one of the best in front of 5000 people.
“We put six months of work in to get there and to win by one point in over time is outrageous.
“It’s always good to play on a good deck and I can’t wait.”
Brook finished the 2014 season at Howlong before crossing to Tallangatta in 2015 and 2016.
He made his way back to the Spiders this year and has formed a powerful midfield with teammate Matt McDonald.
Brook finds it difficult to split the Hume and Tallangatta leagues.
“They are both good leagues – quick and really competitive,” he said.
”Tallangatta has a good side on paper and we have a quick, young side as well.
“The game will be tough.
“It will fast and serious from the get-go.
“There is always a good rivalry between the two teams.”
Hume has appointed Henty defender Josh Gaynor as skipper with Rand-Walbundrie-Giants coach Myles Aalbers his deputy.
In a setback, Azzi medallist Peter Hancock withdrew from the side on Thursday night due to soreness.
“The side has come up well,” coach Brent Piltz said.
“There are always a few who are unavailable, but every league has that.
“All of our blokes want to be there and I think we’ll be really competitive.”
Hume has a strong TDFL flavour in its line-up with Duncan McMaster, Brook, Tim Hallinan, Peter Cook and Jed Andrew having previously played in the competition.
On the other hand, Craig Lieschke, Trent Castles, Jared Farwell and Kane Westlow are former Hume league players now donning TDFL colours.
Castles will captain the host league, with Tallangatta coach Sam Livingston his vice-captain.
Coach Ryan Richardson had no hesitation labelling the TDFL side as the strongest he has been involved with.
“Definitely,” he said.
“We go deep in the rotations in the midfield and have options at both ends.
“The boys have trained well this week.
“Hume looks strong as paper as well so I’d expect a tough game.”
The match starts at 2.15pm.