EFL 2018: Robbie Ross returns to Vermont after a five-year stint at Wandin

FOUR-time Vermont premiership player Robbie Ross will return to the Eagles in 2019 after a five-year stint at Wandin.

Robbie Ross celebrates the 2015 Yarra Valley premiership with Jarrod Bayliss. Picture: Colleen Petch

ROBBIE Ross’ return to Vermont can be traced back to a luncheon during the season.

Ten-time Eagles premiership player Craig Coghlan was the special guest speaker, keeping the crowd entertained from his long list of stories.

RESILIENT EAGLES REVEAL KEYS TO FLAG SUCCESS

MOOROOLBARK ANNOUNCES ITS NEW COACH

LOCAL FOOTY HQ: ALL THE PLAYER AND COACHING MOVES

It was then that Ross knew it was time to return to Terrara Rd.

The 31-year-old has spent the past five years at Yarra Valley club Wandin, where he played in two premierships, but will be back where his career began in 2019.

Robbie Ross wins a hit out during the 2013 finals series. Picture: Sarah Matray

“Just some of the things Craig said about the footy club hit home,” Ross said.

“There is probably only six or seven players who have played 200 games there and I’m not far off that (he has 178 senior appearances to his name).

“I want to reach that milestone but there were some things he said at that luncheon that hit home.

“It probably started from then — do I want to go back there and play?

“I didn’t want to leave Wandin in the lurch so we needed to be successful for it all to be able to work.”

The towering ruckman won Vermont’s best and fairest in the premiership year of 2009 and also played in the hat-trick of flags from 2005 to 2007.

Ross added another flag to his bulging CV at Wandin in 2015 and played in last month’s grand final win over Woori Yallock.

Robbie Ross takes a mark for Vermont. Picture: Paul Loughnan

Ross said he always wanted to finish his career at Vermont but didn’t think it would be in a playing capacity.

“I felt the hunger to play more professional football again,” he said.

“My wife is having another kid in December as well so being closer to home makes things easier.

“It makes it easier for them to come and watch and she is fully supportive of everything I do.”

Ross’ younger brother James is also coming through the junior ranks at Vermont and could line up in the seniors in the coming years.

“One of my goals is to play a game of football with him,” he said.

“He’s 17 this year so I’d love to be able to play with him.”

MORE LOCAL FOOTY NEWS

BAYLISS OPENS UP ON FUTURE AT PARK ORCHARDS

TWO-TIME PREMIERSHIP TIGER TO COACH BAYSWATER

RISING BOX HILL STAR SHAPES AS TOP AFLW DRAFT PICK

FORMER AFL COACH ACCEPTS VAFA POSITION