FREQUENT FLYER
Dean Muir is clocking up plenty of miles in the air this footy season, making the 3000km round trip from Brisbane each week in the hope of landing a GDFL flag with his beloved Inverleigh. STORY: P33
FORMER Inverleigh captain Dean Muir says the chance to have a social life, and potentially win a premiership, is behind his decision to travel weekly from Queensland to play.
The 28-year-old packed up and moved to the Sunshine State in the offseason where he runs a timber exporting business with more than 50 employees in Brisbane.
But while he left behind family and footy to chase a career, the opportunity to fly back and play for his beloved Hawks is a part of his weekly schedule.
“I made the sacrifice to go up there because of the job so I can fly back when I can and there are times when I can’t because of work,” Muir said.
“I was playing with a local club at the start of the year but, with work commitments, it was too hard to train every night.
“I’ll do personal training early in the morning (twice a week), get it out of the way, fly down on a Friday night, play Saturday and fly back Sunday night.”
Fresh faces at Inverleigh have pushed Muir out on a wing, but that does not faze the former Williamstown footballer, who just wants to help lead the side to premiership glory. “It’s the only reason (I’m still playing). I’ve been around a long time,” he said.
“I’ve watched a lot of GDFL footy. Was there when the club started in 2002, went away for a couple of years to Williamstown and then came back.
“I did the years at Inverleigh when I was 16, 17, getting smashed every week.
“We were probably ahead of our time that first final we made when ‘Macca’ (Mark McDowell) started coaching.
“We just didn’t have a good solid 22 for the next couple of years and then last year we thought we were a fair dinkum chance.”
But Muir said his side was better placed this year to go one better.
“Over a six-year period, we’ve always got to the finals series and seem to be held together with tape,” he said.
“I reckon we’re slightly healthier than last year and we’ve got a little bit more depth with the recruits we’ve picked up.
“I’ve played in a lot of losing teams over the years and it’s just good to be a part of it because it won’t last forever. I haven’t got too many years left so I may as well be part of it while I can.”