One of Albury City's most talented young players is back at the club for the 2020 AWFA campaign.
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Thorne Maw has returned to the region after a season with Blacktown Spartans in the NSW NPL and will add plenty to City's lineup under new coach Ricky Piltz.
The 18-year-old had planned to play for Murray United's under-20s outfit and push for further opportunities, but was denied the chance after the club was forced to pull the pin on its senior program due to a lack of committed under-18 and under-20s players.
He was also invited to train with A-League club Melbourne Victory, but is yet to hear if he'll be offered any further opportunities.
He played 25 games in the Spartans' under-18s side and also made five under-20s appearances, being shifted between centre back, midfield and striker depending on the opposition.
"I enjoyed it a lot up there. I learnt a lot and got some good experience," Maw said.
"I just got sick of living up there, the expense and I missed home.
"Obviously things didn't work out at Murray, but we'll wait and see what happens.
"I had run with Victory through Murray which was good quality. It was good to train with blokes like that.
"They sent me an email with a few pros and cons and said they will monitor me, but not being at an NPL club will be hard."
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Maw, the son of former City mentor, Matt, who led the club the previous five seasons, believes he has come back a more rounded player after his stint in Sydney.
"Hopefully I can bring a bit back (to City), we'll see how the season goes," he said.
"I've had my old man as coach for 12 or so years, so it will be different having a new face.
"Ricky (Piltz) will be good and fingers crossed we give it a crack."
Maw said he would have loved to have played at Shepparton-based Goulburn Valley Suns to remain in the NPL system, but couldn't commit to the travel.
He remains unsure whether he will continue to pursue a career at a higher level.
"I'll play this year at AWFA and see how that goes," he said.
"If I have a good season I'll think about it, but it depends on work as well and what happens there.
"I might give GV a crack eventually."
Maw hopes to slot back into the midfield in at City.
"I'm happy to be back. The vibe and everything is good and everyone is happy," he added.
