AFL 200-gamer Farren Ray signs with Eastern Football League powerhouse Balwyn

Ray is the biggest name recruit in the Eastern Football League this off-season, with the Tigers confirming late last week the 30-year-old had signed on as a playing assistant coach.

Ray said the biggest reason for signing on at Balwyn was to continue his association with new Tigers coach Marty Pask, who has managed him for the best part of a decade.

“Balwyn is a good club, everyone knows Balwyn is a good club and it is just easy with Marty,” Ray said.

“He has been my manager for the past eight or nine years and more importantly, Balwyn has a lot of good connections.

“It is also about the contacts and potential job interviews I’ll be able to get.”
Ray, who joins Hawthorn premiership player Jonathan Simpkin as the only confirmed Balwyn inclusions, said he wanted to get back to enjoying his football following 13 years at the elite level.

“The last few years in the AFL have been pretty tough; the game has changed a lot,” he said.

“The main thing, and Pasky has said this, is getting that enjoyment back because football became a chore my last few years.

“I know Balwyn have got a good side, they just won the premiership so I’ll hopefully slot in somewhere and Pasky gives me a game.”

The midfielder announced his retirement from the AFL in September following a 209-game career with the Western Bulldogs, St Kilda and North Melbourne.

He played in St Kilda’s three grand finals in 2009 and 2010 and was named in Peel Thunder’s 20-year All-Star team on the weekend.

The Perth native was recruited from the WAFL club with selection No. 4 in the 2003 national draft.

“Obviously I’m fairly experienced so I’ll be able to bring some advice to the younger guys,” Ray said.

“I’m not looking to be too serious about things, I’ve played football for 13 years at the top level and I’m happy to go down for a kick.”