Zach Walter will return to Barwon Heads full-time after the talented midfielder decided to end his stint with VFL club Port Melbourne.
The 25-year-old, headed back to Howard Harmer Oval after five seasons with GFNL club Newtown & Chilwell, admits it was tough to tell new Port Melbourne coach Brendan McCartney he was stepping away from the VFL.
Walter made five appearances for the Borough, including four in the closing stages of the 2024 season.
“Macca’s someone I’ve known for quite a bit, and (I) do a bit of work with him at Western Heights as well,” Walter said.
“It’s probably not something within my nature to do, to have those conversations where you’re taking a step back.
“Probably the most challenging part was actually committing to that decision.
“But I think it was one that I knew was the right one… it was easy and a good conversation in the end.”
Walter’s last appearance for Barwon Heads was memorable, winning the best-on-ground medal as the Seagulls snapped a 26-year premiership drought.
His return to the club comes off the back of Sam Schaller’s men missing the finals for the first time since 2016.
Walter says there is no shortage of motivation to climb back into the top five in 2025.
“Seeing guys putting in and getting three running sessions done a week with the high-performance program that the boys are all committing to this year, there’s certainly a pretty exciting vibe to it,” he said.
“And the numbers have been pretty strong; a Saturday session, there’s, you know, up 15 blokes there, which is really cool.”
Walter also looks forward to playing with brother Charlie, cousin Sonni, and high-profile recruit Damian McMahon.
Like Walter, McMahon is a grand final best-on-ground medalist, winning the GFNL honour with St Mary’s in 2022.
“I’ve played a lot against Damian and chased him up and down the wings at Newtown a few times,” Walter said.
“So, it’s going to be nice to finally mix with him, hopefully on the ball a little bit.
“A lot of the boys have been speaking pretty highly (of him), and all reports are that he’s absolutely dominating at the moment.
“It’s very exciting.”
Barwon Heads will be on the first local clubs in practice match action when it meets Point Cook Centrals at Howard Harmer Oval on Saturday, March 1.
That will be followed by match-ups with Camperdown (away) and Hampton (home) after Labor Day Weekend before hosting Portarlington in the opening round of the Bellarine season.
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