YOUNG captain-coach Luke Branighan has tagged the shock comeback of veteran forward Nick Hall as a huge bonus for the Cherrypickers in the countdown to the Group Nine finals.
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Branighan yesterday described Hall as a "fantastic" addition to Young's arsenal for the fight for the premiership.
"It's massive," Branighan said yesterday.
"He's (Hall) very respected in the town and I'm very happy he's part of the team."
In a late season change of heart, Hall has jumped on the board the Cherrypickers push to win their first Group Nine title since 1991.
After a long and distinguished career with Young, Hall retired two years ago and has consistently declined the offer to make a return for the Cherrypickers.
Branighan, however, yesterday revealed he had eventually convinced the ageless prop to pull on a Young jumper again.
"I've been nagging away for a few years now," Branighan said.
"He's finally agreed (to play)."
Hall, who arrived in Young as a 23-year-old, turned back the clock to play for the Cherrypickers against Brothers at Alfred Oval on Sunday.
Now 39, Hall played half a game in reserve grade before coming off the interchange bench in first grade.
And Branighan said it was just like the tough forward had never been away from football.
"He was straight back into it," Branighan said.
"He's definitely not out of place in the competition.
"I know other blokes his age are playing this year, but they wouldn't be contributing what he can contribute.
"He's like a young player on the field."
A former Young captain-coach Hall is now set to become a permanent member of the Cherrypickers squad for the remaining home and away games - and the final series.
