David Myers opens up about his move to Northcote Park and desire to enjoy his football again
Former Essendon midfielder David Myers says stepping back to suburban football and signing at Northcote Park was a simple decision as he looks to enjoy his remaining time before hanging up the boots.
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Northcote Park’s marquee recruit David Myers is looking to put the fun back in his footy.
After a 123-game career with Essendon over 12 years, Myers decided to take the step back to suburban football to escape the “grind” of the professional ranks and enjoy his post-AFL life, putting pen to paper with the NFL Division 1 club.
He settled on the Cougars on the advice of close friend and Bombers teammate Ben McNiece, a Northcote Park junior.
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“It should be a bit of fun. It’s a great club to be a part of,” Myers said.
“Northcote was a pretty easy choice for me. I’m just looking to enjoy how ever long I feel like playing.
“Mentally I’d had enough of the grind of full pre-seasons and I knew I didn’t have it in me to commit to that level of training.
“I was pretty keen to move on and starting full-time work, local footy was the perfect way for me to not get rid of footy altogether and have that locker room environment and enjoy myself.”
A wealth management adviser, Myers is hoping he can help deliver some silverware to Bill Lawry Oval as well.
Despite a cruel run with injury, Northcote Park was in finals contention for much of the season before finishing seventh.
The 30-year-old revealed Essendon’s VFL semi-final win over Werribee in September was his first taste of finals success since junior football, and he’s hungry for more at the Cougars.
“While I had good fun and enjoyed my time in the AFL system, I leave having not felt like I’ve achieved much or tasted much success,” Myers said.
“That’s the other side of the motivation – play with mates and have some fun – but try and have a year or two when you’re winning some things.”
New Northcote Park coach Barry Mitchell forecast a forward role for Myers and the long-kicking midfielder said he was happy to play anywhere.
“I probably haven’t taken an overhead mark in 13 years, so that will be something I’ve got to figure out again,” he said.
“I’m pretty relaxed about what (this) year looks like and I’ll just do whatever’s best, it’s more about having a bit of fun and enjoying myself.”
Myers was drafted out of Western Australia with pick No.6 in the 2007 national draft but he now considers Melbourne home.
“I’d thought I’d like to go home but you meet a girl here and that can change pretty quickly,” he said. “I’m obviously pretty settled here, I’ve been here my whole adult life and my brother and sister live here as well.”
The Cougars will start their campaign against Greensborough under lights at home on Friday, April 3.
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