FORMER Bandits captain Jack Duck didn't have a choice where he was playing country football once his basketball career finished last year.
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Not that he wanted one.
Duck's cousins, Chris and Jeremy, were firmly entrenched at Rand-Walbundrie-Walla while his old Xavier High School mates Nick Turner, Tom Plunkett, Tom Holman and Rhys Dempsey were also playing for the Giants.
"I've loved it so far," Jack said.
"Our mates from school have always spoken about playing some footy together and, when Chris and Jeremy went to Rand-Walbundrie-Walla, the decision was pretty easy.
"I've enjoyed it.
"Obviously I've got a long way to go, but it's been good."
Jack is exceeding all expectations in his first season of country football after spending the previous nine years playing basketball.
The Ducks have been spending plenty of time together in the centre square after Jack was moved from the forward-line to the ruck last month.
In a family that lacks nothing when it comes to footballing banter, each of the trio has a theory about who is dominating the clearances.
Jeremy thinks he sums it up best.
"Chris is the smallest so he gets into the most packs," Jeremy laughs.
"My skills are the best though so I should get the most clearances.
"Jack can jump."
Last season was the first Chris and Jeremy have played together after they spent their junior football with Lavington and Albury respectively.
They returned to the Border last year from Melbourne and Adelaide and agreed it was time to play on the same side.
The pair have strong links with the Giants after their father, John, played in Walbundrie's 1989 premiership.
Jeremy also played fourths for the club as a junior.
"It's been unreal (playing in the same side)," Chris said.
"It was something we aimed to do together.
"There is some history at the club and everyone seems to remember the old man from when he played.
"It's a very welcoming place."
Rand-Walbundrie-Walla has started the season with a 4-6 win-loss record and face a crucial clash against Jindera at Walbundrie on Saturday.
The Bulldogs won by a point when they clashed at Jindera last year before the Giants scored an upset win late in the home and away series at Walla.
Jeremy conceded Rand-Walbundrie-Walla's season was in the balance.
"I think we have the list to do it (play finals)," he said.
"We have probably missed a few games early that we definitely should have won but the run home will be an interesting one."