SO often on the receiving end of Chris Cerato’s skills, the Griffith Swans are relishing the prospect of unleashing the former Turvey Park coach on their opponents in 2015.
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Cerato moved to Griffith last October and has committed to staying the rest of the year after his partner gained employment at Griffith Base Hospital.
Signing with the Swans was a logical move for Cerato, and on Thursday night his recruitment became official.
The 30-year-old has played the majority of his football with Turvey Park and was part of the Bulldogs’ 2002 premiership-winning team.
While he admits it’ll be strange pulling on a new Riverina Football League jersey, Cerato expects his move to the Swans to reinvigorate his football.
“I’m looking forward to it to be honest,” Cerato said.
“You get to meet new players, new members of the club, new sponsors, new fans – the whole lot.
“It’s a nice challenge getting to know everyone, but you also have to make sure you perform every week.
“It’s a new lease of life in a new town, so you might as well get amongst it.”
Cerato is renowned in the Riverina Football League for his versatility, and it’s a talent Swans coach Brandon Mathews is sure to exploit.
For his part, Cerato is happy to perform whatever role Mathews assigns him.
“It (versatility) has been my strength throughout my career,” Cerato said.
“I’ve played back, forward and midfield roles. About the only place I haven’t played is the ruck.
“I think Brando’s preference is to play me forward to start with, but in saying that you don’t really know until you play a couple of practice matches and find the balance of the team.”
The Swans missed last year’s finals by two wins, but a strong recruitment drive has them primed to challenge for the top five in 2015.
Cerato’s arrival comes after the signing of former VFL player Tom Groves as assistant coach, and Queanbeyan trio Will Griggs, Ben King and Sam Daniel.
Cerato said the foundation was in place for a successful campaign.
“Just looking at training on Thursday night, the numbers were pretty good,” he said.
“Talking with Brando, players who haven’t committed before are putting in the hard yards now, which is a great sign.
“List-wise, we should be all right. The club’s improved on last year and kept losses to a minimum and picked up more players.”
After coaching against him the past couple of seasons, Mathews said it was great to see Cerato in a Swans jersey.
“He’s a very good player,” he said. “He’s given us a few headaches in the past.
“He’s pretty versatile, which is probably his biggest strength, and he’s also got a lot of playing experience, so he’ll be a good signing for all our young blokes.
“I’m sure Turvey Park were sad to lose him, but he was sort of in the right spot at the right time for us to end up getting him.”