Ex-Crows and Eagles mid Jared Petrenko joins former teammates at Hahndorf this season

A former Crows and Eagles midfielder is looking forward to linking up with two ex-Adelaide teammates again after signing with a Hills Football League powerhouse.

Former Adelaide AFL and Woodville-West Torrens SANFL player Jared Petrenko (C) back with his ex-Crows teammates Kyle Cheney (L) and Matthew Jaensch (R) at the Hahndorf Football Club. Picture Mark Brake

Former Adelaide and Woodville-West Torrens midfielder Jared Petrenko had tears in his eyes as he watched from the stands while his beloved Eagles won the 2020 SANFL flag.

Petrenko featured in 116 games for the Eagles, before deciding to step away from the game and not play football last year.

“I was struggling with motivation to play footy a bit and I kind of fell out of love for it,” Petrenko, who featured in 76 AFL games for the Crows between 2008–2014, said.

“It stemmed from the year before when it was a bit up and down for me — I was driving to games thinking ‘I wish I was just staying at home on the couch’.

Jared Petrenko celebrates kicking a goal for the Eagles during the 2016 grand final against Sturt. Picture: Sarah Reed

“But the Eagles are such a great club and I have so many great mates there.

“I went to (the grand final) … and I shed tears before the game, wishing I was playing and then before the siren went I was in tears again, all the reserves boys were hugging me.

“That club means the world to me and I couldn’t be happier they won.

“At the end of the day my decision not to play it was worth it, being able to spend more time with my young family.”

Now Petrenko is ready to pull on the boots again — but not in the SANFL.

The 31-year-old has signed with reigning Hills Football League premiers Hahndorf for this season.

He will link up with ex-Crows teammates Matthew Jaensch and Kyle Cheney.

Jaensch and Cheney helped Hahndorf win a three-peat last year, with the club holding out Lobethal in a gripping decider by 12 points at Echunga Oval.

“Matty Jaensch and I played under-12 state footy together and then under-16 state and at the Crows, so I’ve known him for a long time,” Petrenko said.

Jared Petrenko (C) with Kyle Cheney (L) and Matthew Jaensch (R) are preparing to play with Hahndorf during this Hills Football League season. Picture: Mark Brake

“I still kept in touch with him a lot and I’ve seen the success that Hahndorf has had over the past couple of years.

“It was then a mutual agreement between the Eagles and I that it was my time to give it (SANFL) up because of the commitment and having a young family.

“In the end, I thought I’d like to go and play with mates and hopefully win a premiership because I’ve come close a lot of times.

“The drawing card is mates and premierships for me, not money, although I’ve copped a lot of that from people but it’s certainly not the case.”

Petrenko, who shares a six-month-old son, Sebastian, with partner Jess, is looking forward to the Hills league kicking off in April.

“I have been training with Hahndorf for about a month, now, and I can’t believe how much I’ve enjoyed it,” Petrenko said.

“I have fallen in love with it again, it’s been a lot more relaxed and I am really excited.”