A HUNGER for premiership success has motivated three-time Jack Betts Medallist Matthew Wade to join North Central club Nullawil for next season.
Wade will depart Swan Hill after eight seasons, the former coach having agonised over the decision for several weeks.
His decision came just 11 weeks after Wade was declared the Central Murray league’s best-and-fairest player and will leave a massive hole in the midfield for incoming Swan Hill coach Michael Herlihy to fill.
For a player with as many accolades as Wade, he has played in only one senior premiership, when he captained Nar Nar Goon to their 2010 flag as a 21-year-old.
He told The Guardian his desire for team success was one of the key factors for the move.
“It was one of the toughest decisions I’ve had to make in a long time,” Wade said.
“I’m not getting any younger and I don’t know how much more footy I have left in me.
“With every game I play, you sort of think to yourself, ‘how much more have I got left in the tank?’
“I received a call out of the blue from (Nullawil) and it just got me thinking about my future and how I’d really like to have some more success before I finish up.
“It’s an opportunity to see a new league and the change of scenery might spark a bit more of an inspired run at the season for myself.
“Everything that comes with changing scenery is exciting and I think with a bit of passion and excitement, you play better footy.”
Wade will join a Nullawil outfit who are hungry for success after losing this year’s grand final to Sea Lake Nandaly in their first season since departing the Golden Rivers league.
He said it was still a tough decision to leave the club where he had won five senior best and fairests.
“Playing for Swan Hill, I loved every second of it and I gave everything I could, but I think it’s time for a change,” Wade said.
“I’ve been there for eight years, which is the longest I’ve ever played for a club, and while I’ve loved my time there, it’s just time to move on.
“I have a lot of good friends and I’ve put a lot of work into the club and I really wanted to see that out, but the excitement of a new club and change has kind of reinvigorated me.
“Swan Hill are building and they’ll get better again this year, they will continue to improve and they’ll have their window of success, but while I’m still able to influence a game and play pretty good footy, I want to be a part of team success.
“I don’t want to risk being a 38-year-old sitting in a team, hoping that he holds his spot because there’s a better 17-year-old coming through.
“You want that kid to get that taste of senior footy and I don’t want to be that guy, I just want to be playing good footy and winning good footy and while I can still do that, I’d like to challenge myself.”
Wade will join Nullawil under new coach Darryl Wilson, who will take over from Brett Barker.
Having coached Strathfieldsaye to three premierships in the Bendigo league, Wilson is widely regarded as having one of the sharpest football minds in country Victoria.
“I’m looking forward to being in the premiership window and the new coach Darryl is fantastic,” Wade said.
“I’ve been in contact with him and it’s looking promising. He really knows his stuff and from a coaching perspective, I’ll learn a few things out there under him.
“It’s exciting to be starting a preseason knowing that we’ll be in with a shot at success.”
