Former St Kilda and Collingwood midfielder Nathan Freeman is set to pull the boots on for Southern Football Netball League (SFNL) side Dingley this weekend.
2022 has been a rollercoaster year for the 27-year-old, who was on the verge of landing an AFL list spot with the Gold Coast Suns in the pre-season.
Freeman trained with the Queensland club, tussling with SANFL star James Tsitas for the last remaining vacancy on the Suns' roster, with Tsitas eventually handed the position through the AFL's Supplemental Selection Period.
The decision left Freeman on the outer of the AFL landscape once again, having garnered plenty of interest in his dominant spell with VFL club Frankston last year.
After missing out on a position with the Suns, Freeman ventured to South Australia in linking up with Adelaide's SANFL side for the 2022 season.
Freeman failed to escape the looming spectre of further injury, suffering a shoulder injury in the pre-season and eventually departing West Lakes in May after just four matches with plans in place to pursue career opportunities.
Freeman has since re-signed with Frankston for the remainder of the 2022 season, however, will return from a recent hamstring strain through Dingley's seniors.
The recent setback, coupled with the aforementioned shoulder issue and a history of repeated injuries, have placed Freeman on an arduous career path.
“He knows his body pretty well and he said, ‘look I reckon I’m a week short’,’’ Dingley coach Danny Ades told News Corp.
“The plan is to play this Saturday.
“He’s a Frankston-listed player so they would have to sign off on it again.
“I think they’ve given him the green light to come back through local footy and we’ll then see what transpires through that.’’
Dingley will travel to Peanut Farm reserve on Saturday to face St Kilda City, who are currently home to AFL greats Dane Swan and Brendan Fevola, who kicked four goals in a Round 12 victory over ladder leaders, Cranbourne.
The Dingoes currently sit fifth on the SFNL Division 1 ladder, one win behind St Kilda City with a 7-5 record.