Shane Wadwell found an unexpected “second home” at North Tamworth. But as the call from the veteran’s first home becomes louder the longer he prolongs his career, he knows that his time at Bear Park is almost up.
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Now into his ninth season at Norths, after debuting in first grade at age 17 at West Lions, the father of three defied his wife’s wishes by playing this year as he eyes a 10th season and the life membership at the club activated by that.
It’s an achievement Wadwell, who turns 31 next month, hopes to achieve with Bears centre Richard Clegg. Clegg signed with the reigning four-time premiers at the same as him. They were named Norths’ best forward and best back, respectively, last season.
“So we’re sort of looking at each other thinking, ‘We’ll make the 10 [years] and maybe [then] throw it in and see what happens,’” Wadwell said.
Kiera, Wadwell’s wife, would prefer her man shelve that plan in favour of spending more time with her and their kids, Khloe, 6, Kobi, 5, and Sophia, 3, the Bears enforcer said.
And he may concur with her after Sunday's grand final replay against Narrabri at Jack Woolaston Oval, when the second-rower will start at prop for what he believes is the first time.
The irony of his Bears love affair is not lost on the former Wests junior, whose path to his league promised land was protracted and winding. He has also played at Gunnedah and Dungowan.
It was former Group 4 president Mick Schmiedel who lured him to Norths when Schmiedel coached the side. He also coached him at Dungowan, where the close friends celebrated a second-division premiership.
“I didn’t really like Norths growing up, really, because I was a Westy. But after starting to play for Norths, they’re just a good bunch of blokes … very family orientated, sort of thing.”
“I’ve played with a lot of clubs,” he added, “and I don’t think they’d be a better one out there, really. It’s like a second family, really … she [Kiera] doesn’t want me to play, but I’ll squeeze another year out with [new Bears coach] Scott Blanch needing me.”
“But I’m nearly at the end of my footy career,” he added. “I know people say I’m still quite young. But when you’ve got three kids, that probably comes first, really.”
Wadwell’s switch to prop follows the Bears’ shock 30-20 away loss to Kootingal-Moonbi last round – their first defeat since losing 20-18 to Narrabri in round 11 last season. Wadwell described it as Norths’ worst performance in five years, but said it was the slap to the face the side needed.
He said Blanch moved him to the front-row to “tighten up the middle a bit more”. “We’ll be out to prove a point this weekend,” he added.
