James Woolford has found a new home after feeling unwanted by Young.
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The former Cherrypickers captain-coach has signed a new deal with Cootamundra after two years at the helm.
He’s looking to start afresh after a disappointing end to his three seasons back at his junior club.
“When you’re offered $100 a game by your junior club with the experience I've had it is pretty disappointing, but you have to move on,” Woolford said.
“Clearly it’s an insult to me and clearly saying you're unwanted and to go away.”
Returning home after time in the Melbourne feeder system plus in the Newcastle and Canberra competitions Woolford didn’t want to play against Young, and was close to signing with Yass.
However the 28-year-old had a change of heart given the ‘Pickers lack of interest in retaining him as a player under new coach Roy Jewitt.
Now he’s looking to help rebuild the Bulldogs after they’ve lost plenty of faces over the off-season.
Former captain-coach Glen Buttriss and best and fairest winner Jake Goodwin led a host of players who have left.
Aaron Duncan has returned to West Wyalong to player under Goodwin, Jarrod Brackenhofer has struck a deal in the Queensland Cup, Aaron Byrne and Jeremy Wood have retired while Haydn Cowled has retired to young.
Woolford knows there is plenty to be done playing under new co-coaches Chris Maher and Matt Forsyth.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge,” Woolford said.
“It will be challenge as they’ve lost a few guys but there is a good core of players there.
“I thought about it long and hard but I think they are going to be thereabouts, they’ve got some young players through who have a lot of talent as well, two really easy coaches from what I’ve seen so far and they’re really keen to get into it and really keen to have me jump on board.
“I’m looking to feed off the back of them and hopefully bring something to the team.”
Woolford had a disastrous season with Young.
Not only did the well fancied Cherrypickers just avoid taking the wooden spoon, but Woolford broke his arm twice in the season.
However he’s confident he’ll be right to go for round one.
“It’s all good now,” he said.
“I’ve had a lot of time off after the second time I broke it.
“I’ve had a few sessions on it, done a little bit of weight training and by the time the season comes around it will be 200 per cent fit and ready to go.”