Darcy Pawlik feels he has come back to Murray United with plenty to offer.
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The 22-year-old has signed on with the Border NPL 2 outfit in the mid-season transfer window for the remainder of the 2019 campaign.
Pawlik last played for the club in 2017 under James Coutts, but departed at the midway mark of the season to explore a new opportunity with Eastern Lions.
He then spent 2018 and the start of the 2019 season with State League outfit Casey Comets, before accepting an offer from Murray coach Elliot Jones to rejoin his former club.
"I was only 18 or so when I left and it was a big couple of years," Pawlik said.
"Especially going down to Melbourne where you're not known, it's a bit different to playing at Murray when you've come from AWFA and people know who you are.
"You've got to earn your spot and show people what you can do.
"I picked up things along the way which I hope to bring back to Murray and have a strong end to the season."
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Pawlik had Jones as an under-20s coach at Murray before his move to Melbourne and jumped at the chance to play under him in the seniors.
"It was an easy decision because you're going back to a team where you know a lot of the boys," he said.
"It makes it a much easier transition, especially mid-year if you're going to a new club and you've got to find your place."
Pawlik was thrown into a somewhat unfamiliar role in the midfield in Murray's 3-2 triumph against Melbourne Victory last weekend, but handled it well.
"Every time I've spoken to EJ, he's liked the way I've played offensively on the ball and creatively," Pawlik said.
"Fletcher (Caponecchia) is out injured and with 'Dunny' (Ashley Dunn) getting a couple of weeks' suspension, I went in there and had to do a job and sit in there and defend.
"I feel I'm able to provide most for the team in attack, but defending is obviously part of the game and it's got to work both ways.
"Obviously the way the game went, we were 3-0 up and they got back on top, so we had to sit in, weather the storm and grind out the result."
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