Thomastown recruit Tyrone Leonardis says a year off football has him feeling refreshed and more excited than ever to play in 2021.
The former Sydney Swans listed midfielder played 31 games with North Melbourne’s VFL team across the 2018 and 2019 seasons, as well as a handful of NFNL games with Montmorency and Watsonia.
Following last year’s cancelled VFL campaign, Leonardis decided to make a permanent switch to local football and signed on to play full-time with Thomastown for the 2021 season.
Speaking to NFNL.org.au, the 24-year-old explained how the extended break from training last year has made him more energised and ready than ever to get back on the playing field this season.
“I’m excited to just get on the field and play again, especially after the year off. It’s actually been good for the body,” he said.
“When it first came up that the VFL was not going on for the rest of the year, it was only the AFL, it was all obviously a bit annoying. But after probably the first two or three months I realised that it was probably good for the body to refresh.
“For the last seven or eight years in a row I’ve done pretty heavy pre-seasons so after having the year off and going back to pre-season this year, I felt like a young kid again going back to training and I enjoyed it a lot.”
Joining Leonardis at Main Street Reserve will be former North Melbourne teammate Michael Tang, who has also had stints at VFL clubs Coburg and Port Melbourne.
The pair spent three years together at the Kangaroos, where they struck up a strong friendship.
Leonardis said he and Tang used the time off last year as an opportunity to consider a new challenge and the duo immediately felt comfortable when they arrived at Thomastown.
“We always talked about playing local footy together. Then when COVID happened, we chatted about what we were going to do when footy comes back. It was a perfect time to try and find somewhere to play together,” Leonardis said.
“Thomastown came up to us and we thought we’d go have a look and from the first night we were there we loved it.
“All the boys were really welcoming and the culture down there is unreal. The president said to us that people come and don’t leave, and I feel like that’s true.”
Leonardis wants to keep it simple when it comes to expectations on himself for the 2021 season, with his main focus on enjoying his return to local footy.
“I think to start off, it’s just have fun,” Leonardis said.
“I haven’t played a full season of local football since I was 16 or 17 at juniors, so I think probably for the main part, the first five to six games at least, it’s about just enjoying it.
“Obviously, it’ll be a lot different to playing at VFL level so I’m just looking forward to going out there and having fun and then hopefully I can play well enough to help the team.
“I’m happy to be a team player. It’s not about me, it’s about the team. I’m happy to do what’s best for the team and if I play well individually, well that’s just a bonus.”
Following consecutive semi final exits over the past two seasons, Thomastown is predicted to be a major challenger for the MC Labour Division 2 premiership this year.
However, Leonardis said there has not been any extra pressure heaped on the club internally ahead of the upcoming season.
“We haven’t really spoken about expectations too much,” Leonardis said.
“We think that we have a list to contend, but at the same time we’re kind of being grounded.
“I definitely think it’s been one of the hardest pre-seasons I’ve done in a while, running-wise. [Thomastown coach] Mario Bandera has been really focused on wanting to be the fittest team in the comp and that’s what we want to focus on the most.
“I think we’re just keen to have a game and get out there and see how we go. All the boys are super excited to get out there and play again.”
