Caleb and Zac Simmonds return to Kiewa-Sandy Creek

The 25-year-old, who was a junior player with the Hawks, stepped up to play in the Ovens and Murray for Albury before moving on to Culcairn in the Hume league.

He then took a break from the game but is now ready to challenge for honours in the Tallangatta league alongside older brother Zac.

"I had the year off last year but was always going to go back to Kiewa because it's my home club," Simmonds said.

"Me and my brother had been having a chat, we thought it was probably about time to go back and I wanted to play with him again.

"With COVID and everything that happened, not having the year of footy before, I just thought I'd have the year off again, recoup and be able to do a few things other than football.

"I enjoyed my time off but coming back now, I've got the itch again.

"At the back end of the season, I started to miss it.

"First time around, I just remember Kiewa being a really big family-orientated club and we always had success there.

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"I've got a lot of old mates that are there as well so it's good to go back and be able to see them.

"That's a big draw because everyone there, I've basically grown up playing with since I was a young fella.

"All the people we've got there, family friends, I've known through my whole childhood, so going back and seeing them is going to be real good."

The versatility of the brothers was a big factor for new Hawks coach Jack Neil.

"It creates more options for us in the roles we can have them play and others play," Neil said.

"Caleb will play through midfield, half-back or half-forward, I don't know exactly but it gives us more options in those spaces and Zac will offer support across those areas too.

"It's the utility nature of them which adds to the depth of players we've got that are in the same boat.

"Caleb's experience will be great for our group.

"He's played some O and M footy and he's played in the Hume league and that experience will be really valuable."

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