Midfielder Josh Wittwer returns to Central District a year after leaving the Bulldogs for family reasons

JOSH Wittwer has made good on his vow to return to Central District - a little less than 12 months after quitting the club for family reasons.

JOSH Wittwer has made good on his vow to return to Central District - a little less than 12 months after quitting the club for family reasons.

The midfielder, 21, left the Bulldogs in March last year to sign with division two SA Amateur Football League club Gepps Cross.

At the time, Wittwer said he wanted to have a 12-month break from the SANFL to support his partner Skye, who was expecting.

"It was a very difficult ­decision to leave after ­captaining the side to a ­reserves premiership last year and growing up around the club I love,'' said Wittwer, who played 49 reserves games for the Bulldogs from 2010-12.

"But family comes first for me and always will.

"I've let them know I want to go back and if they're happy to have me back, I'll go back."

Now he is back training with the Bulldogs.

Central District football manager Kris Grant said he was not surprised Wittwer had returned to the club ­because "deep down I don't think he wanted to leave".

"He always knew if it was all right he'd like to come back," Grant said.

"I think he went all right (at Gepps Cross) without setting the world on fire but had a few hefty bags of goals on a few occasions.

"Now it's up to Josh and how he performs."