This could be the last time for Houghton Football Club’s version of John Farnham

NATHAN Hall is the John Farnham of Houghton Districts Football Club. His latest comeback has taken him to his first grand final with the club.

NATHAN Hall is the John Farnham of Houghton Districts Football Club.

“Farnham is my new nickname because I’m always on a comeback tour,” Hall, of Banksia Park, jokes.

Hall, 32, is set to play in his first grand final for the Raiders when they take on Mitchell Park at Thebarton Oval on Saturday in the division seven premiership decider.

But he would never have got there had he went through with plans to retire the past three seasons.

“I have two kids so I’ve always been torn between doing the right thing at home and my love for playing footy.

“The first year I put a post up on our footy website, thanked everybody and said I was done but lo and behold, when the sun came up in January I went to pick up some milk and found myself at training.

“The following year I did the same thing (announced retirement) ... but again someone roped me into coming back out to footy again.”

Hall reneged on hanging up the boots to play for Houghton’s rival Mawson Lakes at the start of last season but returned to the Raiders after six or so games.

“We made the prelim and I once again told them I was done ... but our new coach told me straight away he wanted me to shelve any ideas of retirement.

“He actually pulled up to me at the lights on North East Rd one day, wound down his window and started his pitch.”

Hall, a midfielder in his sixth season at Houghton after crossing from Tea Tree Gully, says a premiership will make his decision to play on worth it.

The Raiders last won an A-grade flag in 1999.

“It’d be just reward for the efforts of not just players and coaches but the volunteers who put their heart and soul into the club.”

Retirement looms again but Hall says he will not make a decision until after this weekend, when Houghton also chases a division seven reserves flag.