FORMER Gunnedah Bulldogs forward Mitchell Swain will ply his craft elsewhere in season 2019.
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The 27-year-old will line up for the Manilla Tigers in Group 4 this season, after the club announced it would compete in reserve grade.
Swain told the Namoi Valley Independent he was yet to officially commit to the Tigers.
"At this stage, my plan is to have a run around with Manilla this season," Swain said.
"However, I haven't really been in touch with the club about it, nor have I trained with them just yet.
"But at this stage, playing with them is what I'm hoping to do."
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A Bulldogs 2017 premiership player, Swain said making the move to Manilla was "pretty tough".
"I loved playing the Bulldogs," he said.
"It's obviously a pretty tough thing, but it's something I'm really keen to have a crack at.
"I haven't played since my high school days, so it should be a fair bit of fun."
There is a lot of water to go under the bridge before Swain takes the field for Manilla, with his cricket side Old Boys set to contest this weekend's Tamworth District Cricket Association grand final.
"Obviously cricket comes first for me at this point," Swain said.
"We [Old Boys] have worked really hard this season and there is just one more hurdle to jump.
"Once cricket is said and done, though, I am looking forward to having a run."
Swain said his connections at Old Boys were what sparked his decision to shift to the Tigers.
"I'm really close mates with Abel Carney and he is also playing for Manilla," he said.
"We have played a lot of cricket together and the chance to play footy together should be really good."
Swain said he was unsure what season 2019 would hold, but he was confident it would be enjoyable.
"In terms of position, I'm not too sure where I will line up," he said.
"Hopefully somewhere in the outside backs, but we will cross that bridge when we come to it."