Ex-Central District defender Luke Barmby to feature with Golden Grove in the Adelaide Footy League’s division three in 2019

Former Central District defender Luke Barmby set to feature with Golden Grove next Adelaide Footy League season.

Luke Barmby, in action against Glenelg, will play for Golden Grove in 2019 after retiring from the SANFL. Picture Roger Wyman

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FORMER Central District defender Luke Barmby hopes to help to improve the defensive structures and drive training standards at Golden Grove next season.

Barmby signed with the Kookaburras last month after calling time on his 130-game career with the Bulldogs.

Golden Grove was promoted to division two after making the 2017 division three grand final, but was relegated straight back down following a second-to-bottom finish this season.

Barmby, 30, is keen to help fast track the youngsters’ on-field and off-field development.

“They’ve been successful in division three, so I think they know what it takes,” Barmby, of Surrey Downs, says.

“They are aware of some of the mistakes they made in terms of training habits and their approach to training and preparation (this year).

“It’s just more about keeping them aware of what’s required and expected.

“I’ll probably also help out the backline, speak to the coach about trying a few ideas about how to move the ball out of the backline and setting up structurally.”

Luke Barmby keeps his eyes on the ball during Central’s elimination final against Norwood in 2015. Barmby will feature with Golden Grove next season after retiring from the SANFL. Picture: Sarah Reed.

Barmby announced his retirement from league football at the Bulldogs’ best and fairest in October.

The South Downs Primary School teacher will not captain Golden Grove, but will support the Kookaburras’ co-skippers Daniel Lepka and Judd Morris.

He says hanging up the boots is tough, but he looks forward to playing in a more relaxed atmosphere and with his brother, Chad, who is also joining Golden Grove.

“The commitment (playing SANFL) got a bit much,” Barmby says.

“It was a bit of mental fatigue, nothing wrong there, it was just more of a time thing and sort of lost the love for it a bit.

“But you always go out to play footy to win.

“Hopefully at the end of next year, we (Golden Grove) will go up to division two and then we will go up again.

“The aim is to improve and to keep climbing to division one.”