Tony Modra on his return to SA country footy with Encounter Bay and Keith Crows

Ahead of the 2024 SA country footy season, Crows legend Tony Modra has revisited his shock return to the local game and how it reignited his love for the sport.

Despite playing 165 AFL games and booting 588 goals, twice being named an All-Australian and winning one Goal of the Year and three Mark of the Year awards, Tony Modra believes returning to SA country footy after retirement was one the best career decisions he made.

The football legend made the decision to lace up the boots for Encounter Bay in the Great Southern Football League during season 2004 after a brief stint with the Eagles’ cricket side.

‘Mods, who now has a family farm in Encounter Bay, instantly fell back in love with the local level of the game, enjoying many nights at the club and at other grounds throughout the state’s southern country region.

“It’s funny because when I retired from footy we travelled around Australia for a bit and when we moved back the person who was leasing my property, Todd Butler, played cricket and footy for Encounter Bay,” Modra said.

Former AFL footballer Tony Modra ahead of a clash with 483 A-Grade game veteran, Barry Clarke for Myponga. Picture: File

“I had no intention of playing footy but went back to playing cricket and then thought stuff it, I’ll have a kick around.

“It was the best thing I ever did because I got to refamiliarise myself with grassroots footy and the community vibe that comes along with it and it probably reminded me why I originally started playing.

“I really loved the banter involved and my wife and I enjoyed dinners at the club and just going around to all these beautiful country grounds – it’s what that level of the game is all about.”

Modra hit the ground running for the Eagles, the electric, high-flying forward booting over 200 goals through three seasons with the club including a famous 10-goal performance and an extra time winner in a final against Langhorne Creek.

He would not win a flag with the club but would finally taste premiership success after a big move to the Keith Crows in the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League in 2007.

Modra booted 10 goals in a game against Lucindale during that season and kicked eight in the club’s 52-point grand final win over Penola.

Modra playing his first game for Encounter Bay against Myponga at Victor Harbor. Picture: File

“I had some connections at Keith and a couple guys from Encounter Bay went down as well.

“It was really special to win that flag, not just for myself but for the town as well.

“It’s just that camaraderie that pulls you in, the whole town gets involved and it’s really all about the supporters, members and community.

“Country footy is the life fabric of a lot of these towns and it’s very important that we continue to support it. I think I probably took that for granted when I was a kid, so I’m really glad I went back and played again.”

Jack Trengove – another former AFL star – was busy winning a Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League Junior Colts premiership alongside Lachie Neale, Alex Forster and Andrew Bradley with Kybybolite the year Modra made his return to country footy.

The former Melbourne captain won his second flag in three years as a star midfielder with Prince Alfred OC last season but will make his return to Kyby this year to fulfil a lifelong dream.

Kybybolite 2004 Junior Colts premiers where Jack Trengove (middle, fourth from left) is pictured with former AFL player Alex Forster (front left), Lachie Neale (second from left) and former Glenelg captain Andrew Bradley (third from left). Picture: Matt Turner

“I’ve always wanted to fulfil the dream of playing senior footy at the place where it all started,” Trengove said.

“To be able to pull on the Kyby guernsey alongside my best childhood mates and give back to the club and community that gave me my first opportunity in the game is really exciting.”

Trengove and Bradley will be hoping to lead the Tigers to their first senior flag in 50 years after the side finished bottom in 2023.

A number of other big former AFL names will be competing for country clubs including Bryce Gibbs at Victor Harbor and Jack Redden with Willunga during what should be one of the most competitive regional seasons in recent memory.

Ahead of Saturday’s round one games, we’ve analysed how each club sits, named the major ins and outs, made our predictions and picked the players to watch for every SA country competition.

See the full preview here.