AFTER two-and-a-half years away from footy, Barossa District veteran Darren Sharp is relishing his second crack at the game he loves.
The 35-year-old forward hung up the boots in 2015, after kicking 19 goals in 16 games as the Dogs finished last that season.
The veteran decided to return to Williamstown Oval after his body was feeling good and ready for another year.
However, this is a new-look Barossa District side than the one Sharp left almost four years ago, and he admitted he needed to learn some new names.
“It’s good, there’s a lot of young blokes, and I had to learn about three quarters of the team,” he said.
“I like mentoring, being a bit of an old head now.”
Sharp has been a main target up forward for Barossa this season and has booted 23 goals in seven A-grade appearances.
However, he didn’t expect to be going straight into the ones after
one reserves game.
“It’s good to be back, it’s a good group of lads, and playing the game
I love,” Sharp said.
“I thought I could still contribute to the side.
“B-grade was the plan, but then if they needed me, I got the call up.
“I stepped back into (A-grade) in my second game.”
The Bulldogs have a wealth of junior talent at their disposal, and a
few of those players have impressed Sharp on his return.
“Ethan Gant, he’s been brilliant,” he said.
“Daniel Kickel is another one.”
Barossa District will take on high-flying Freeling this week at Williamstown Oval.