NATHAN Aldridge will make his long-awaited return to the sidelines this weekend, as his Shoalhaven District Football Association men's side attempt to defend their Southern NSW Branch Championship title.
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Aldridge, who stepped away from the sport to focus on his health, and his representative side created history last year, becoming the first Shoalhaven team to win the branch crown after they defeated Far South Coast in the decider at Broulee.
As such, it was a no-brainer for Aldridge to return as team coach for the 2019 tournament at Merimbula.
"I was asked to coach this team again this year and I am grateful to be part of this fantastic concept," Aldridge, who steered Bomaderry FC to a premiership in 2017, said.
"It's important for me to allow the players a chance to come together and hopefully we can bring it home."
To prepare for the two-day carnival, Aldridge and his team, which sees Bomaderry's Dale Russell, Brad Bailey, Daniel Frew and Brendan Kellett, Huskisson-Vincentia's David Hampton (captain) and Lewis Archibald and Milton-Ulladulla's Kevin Castle return from last year, have been hard at work for a number of weeks.
"Preparation has been really positive thus far," he said.
"We have had a few hit outs - the boys are looking sharp and committed."
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Rounding out Aldridge's squad for this year's competitions are Culburra's Mitch Blundell and Rhys Mooy, Illaroo's Adam Arnott, Bomaderry's Sam Baxter, Huskisson's Brendan Hiriart, St Georges Basin's Fraser Macqueen, Callala's Tom White and Shoalhaven United's Luke Kellett.
"All the players in this team have the right attitude towards what we need to do to win - both on and off the field," he said.
"We are a good mix of youth, with a couple of experienced players sprinkled in there.
"Our squad is strong across the board, with dangerous attacking weapons and a rock-solid back-four."
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The time away from head coaching - as he assisted Bomaderry's Kevin Jackson in the latter part of this season - has invigorated Aldridge, who knows how special is would be to go back-to-back.
"I'm very excited about what this team can do," he said.
"To win it back-to-back would be great, as there are some new faces in this year's team that haven't experienced how special it is to win one of these tournaments.
"It will be a great way for the players to end their strong seasons on a high note."
Shoalhaven will first play Eurobodalla at 9.30am Saturday, before facing the Tablelands later that day at 12pm - with Aldidge's troops having the bye in round three.
Then on Sunday, they face Eurobadalla (9.30am) and Tablelands (12pm), before again having the bye - with the winner being determined after these six rounds.