Australian football
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STAR Hanwood striker Jason Bertacco is mulling over an audacious offer from the Griffith Swans to swap the round ball for the Sherrin and play in the Riverina Football League in 2013.
Widely regarded as one of the best players in the Griffith District Football Association, Bertacco is being courted for a return to Australian rules after playing two seasons with the Swans back in 2007-08.
However, it is understood his fierce loyalty to Hanwood the club he has played for since he was 14 years old and currently serves as first grade captain and junior coach at means he is highly likely to reject the strong advances of the Swans.
Bertacco scored 10 goals in 10 Regional Premier League games last season, but Hanwood's decision to withdraw from the competition left the club open for a raid on its key sharpshooter.
The pacy poacher's defection to the RFL would rob local football of one of its shining lights, though his link to his club is thought to be too strong for the Swans to break.
The ambitious Bertacco, who was not available for comment, is also a keen cricketer for Hanwood and is no stranger to stretching his natural athletic talent across multiple sports.
Blessed with blistering speed, Bertacco's ability to leave defenders in his wake on a rectangular pitch has convinced Swans coach Guy Orton he could be a weapon on the rebound in 2013.
"That's what we're looking for, a speedy backman or wingman who can use pace rather than skills," Orton said.
"Obviously it's going to take him a while to get back up to scratch, but with how talented he is he would find a way.
"He hasn't said no to me yet. If it is to be, it will be."
Orton has heard rave reviews of Bertacco's 2008 flirtation with the Swans and is confident the speed merchant could easily transition back into Australian football.
"If he committed to it he would go 100 per cent," he said.
"He's already told me that he wouldn't come over and not have his body ready to play.
"The way I see him is that he's a really talented sportsman and whatever sport he puts himself to, he has that desire to be the best he can be."
The Swans will recommence pre-season training on January 15 and are expected to announce some new player signings in the coming weeks.