Football
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JASON Bertacco has turned down an approach to switch codes and join the Griffith Swans this year, instead choosing to remain loyal to Hanwood FC.
The talented 27-year-old who is Hanwood's first grade captain and coached the club's under 17 squad to consecutive titles in the past two years had been courted by Swans officials for weeks over the potential move and was expected to meet with them over the weekend to discuss it.
But his love for Hanwood and his desire to be on hand as the club's next generation of players graduates into senior football was too strong to break and put an end to Griffith's brazen poaching attempt.
"I did think seriously about it. The two years I had with the Swans were really enjoyable, but my loyalty is with Hanwood," Bertacco said.
However, the lure of playing alongside Brendan Fevola for a day and testing himself at another code almost got him over the line for the Australian rules football club.
"Fev was a big attraction and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Bertacco admitted.
"It would have been great to play with him and it will be great for the Swans boys.
"I'm really grateful for the Swans for asking me to come over and join them, they're a great club and I've got a lot of mates there.
"But Hanwood put me as captain last year and it was an honour to take up that role.
"Because I got injured and couldn't play to my full potential ... with that going on, I couldn't leave. The boys have done so much for me.
"And there's a lot happening with the juniors at Hanwood and I want to follow that through.
"The guys I coached to premierships are coming into the senior team and I couldn't say no to that."
Bertacco's decision to stick with the round ball is not just a victory for Hanwood but also for local football, with the sport hanging onto one of its biggest names.
"He's a sportsman and athlete and other codes will always try and approach him," Hanwood FC's Jason Restagno said.
"We are extremely happy that Jason has committed himself to the club and we feel very lucky to have someone of his calibre with us.
"All the young footballers look up to him, he's a very good role model in fact, we see him as a future first-grade coach."
A flattered Bertacco said he aspires to become just that.
"I came through the ranks with guys like Michael Musitano, Anthony Agresta and Joey Schirripa. They showed me the Hanwood way and hopefully one day I can lead the club like they have," he said.