PREMIERSHIP Hawk Jack Gerrish is leaving his childhood club to join his best mate at Katamatite in the Picola and District Football League.

The 24-year-old will leave Rovers to join former Wangaratta player Ben Bray at Katamatite, fresh off playing a pivotal role in Rovers' drought breaking premiership win last month.

“The decision to play for Katamatite is purely to play with Ben,” Gerrish said.

“If Ben dropped dead I’d still be at Rovers – that’s how much my decision is purely to play with him.

“We played our juniors together and he’s one of my best mates so it’s something we both wanted to tick off our bucket lists.”

While many would think a big part of Gerrish’s decision would be centred around money, he said it’s simply not the case.

“Everyone would be thinking I’m going out there to take some cash but it’s not the case at all,” he said.

“I’m super keen to play with Ben, the footy will be a step down but it’s a new challenge which I'm looking forward to.

“I’ll forever be a Rover though and I’ll definitely be back.”

Katamatite finished mid-table this year making Gerrish’s decision even tougher given Rovers are likely to challenge for back-to-back premierships.

“I’ve signed with Katamatite but the thoughts around ‘have I made the right decision’ are still there,” he said.

“Rovers are every chance to go back-to-back and I really hope they do but that made my decision even tougher.

“I’m playing footy with a good mate though and at the end of the day that’s why you play footy.”

While the Picola and District League is a fair step down from the O&M, Gerrish is hoping to add a few strings to his bow.

“I’ll be a starting midfielder for Katamatite which is something I’m really looking forward to,” he said.

”I didn’t get a look in to Rovers midfield which is absolutely fair enough with the calibre of players we had in there and I was also happy on the wing.

“It’ll be a good chance to add a few strings to my bow, play midfield, play half-back and I’ll have to win my own ball a lot more which is something that’s pretty foreign to me.”