Former Test star has one eye on future following hard call to leave Victoria after 14 decorated seasons

Veteran Peter Siddle still feels he has plenty of juice left in the tank, but potential opportunities once his playing days come to an end were a big factor in his decision to join the Tigers, he reveals.

Peter Siddle will finish his career with Tasmania. (AAP Image/Darren England)

THE chance to impart knowledge on Tasmania’s young emerging bowling group — and open the door for opportunities post playing — was the catalyst for Peter Siddle to finish his career with the Tigers.

After 14 years with Victoria, the former Test star admitted it was a tough decision to leave an association which nurtured his own development.

However the opportunity to work alongside the likes of Riley Meredith, Nathan Ellis, Sam Rainbird and Gabe Bell was too good to pass up for the 35-year-old.

Peter Siddle in action for Victoria last season (AAP Image/Michael Dodge)

Despite his age and after only announcing his retirement from international cricket in December, the veteran was a wanted commodity around the country.

“Obviously to have in the end, four states interested in signing me and offering me an opportunity … it’s always nice to feel loved, especially at the back end of your career,” Siddle said.

“Also on that front it was about me making the right decision for what I believe can help develop me, not just as a player at the back end of my career, but also looking ahead for the future and what I might move into once my playing days are done.

“The opportunity to work alongside the young playing group down in Tasmania and also the coaching set up down there, made my decision pretty easy in the end, as hard as it was.

“It’s very sad to be finishing up with Victoria, you probably always think when you start your career that you’re going to finish your career in that state and be a one state player.

“But I think it’s shown over the years, especially the Big Bash, players moving, different opportunities, the same thing can happen in state cricket.

“There is a lot of opportunity for me to help the group down there on and off the field and hopefully we can have some success along the way.”

Australia's captain Tim Paine (R) talks to Peter Siddle during last year’s Ashes series. Paine and Siddle will now be state teammates (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)

Due to current travel restrictions Siddle is likely to miss the start of Tigers pre-season, and despite not permanently relocating to Hobart is committed to joining as much of the program as he can.

And while a move into coaching isn’t on the radar now, being able to develop some skills while still playing was a major attraction for him in joining Tasmania.

“The initial chats I had with ‘Griff’ [head coach Adam Griffith], is that is what he did when he made the change at the back end of his career,” Siddle said.

“He started to look towards the coaching stuff, so being able to develop that before you finish up rather than just coming to an end and then [thinking] ‘what do I do?’

“I think this gives me a good opportunity that can help develop my coaching skills along the way, while still playing, working with the young group that is eager to learn, I think can help me.”