Adelaide SANFL recruit Hugh Haysman concedes he lost the love for League footy last year.

Hoping to find that love again, the 2015 West Adelaide premiership player went back to the amateur league and lined up with his mates at St Peter’s Old Collegians in division one this year.

Fast forward 11 months and Haysman is ready to return to the SANFL and has signed as one of Adelaide’s development players for 2023.

Speaking to AFC Media, Haysman said he had hoped to return to the State League but was looking for the “right opportunity”.

“It had been a tough few years at Westies,” Haysman said.

“I definitely felt the love for the game come back a bit playing amateurs, taking a step back and having a bit of fun with a new group.

“That’s what drew me to getting in touch with (SANFL Manager) Jarrod Meers, hearing about this program and now I’m ready to reset and go again.

“I always thought that I could come back and play a bit of League footy if the right opportunity came about, so it’s great to be back.”

“I definitely felt the love for the game come back a bit playing amateurs.

Haysman has lined up in 77 League games since his debut in 2015 and went on to feature in the Bloods’ drought-breaking flag win that same year.

The now 25-year-old believed he could add experience to the Crows SANFL side, which would again include young, AFL-listed players.

“I have been around the SANFL system for a few years now, so I think I can add a bit of experience and hopefully bring a few of the younger boys along with me,” Haysman said.

“I also pride myself on training standards and working really hard doing everything you can to be ready to go.

“The Crows’ SANFL team had a successful year this year and that was a reflection of the program, so I’m keen to add value where I can and have a lot of fun.”

Haysman said winning a SANFL Premiership was a memory he would cherish forever and he hoped to get an opportunity to replicate that with a new Club and new teammates.

“It (the premiership) feels like a little while ago, now, I was 18 when we won it, so I was very young,” Haysman said.

“It was an awesome day and I’m keen to get back there, play a bit of footy on Adelaide Oval and this group seems like it’s got capability to do that.

“Hopefully we can play in another prelim and then hopefully a grand final next year.”