You've sort of mentioned one of the reasons I'm reluctant to go back to Club footy. I really don't want to be one of those guys running around in 'slow motion'.
I don't know what level A-grade is in Australia, but I think I can relate to most of what you've said. Except, I was never a top notch player, the highest level I ever played in was 2nd team at a club in the first division in South Africa. The first division is club competition one below Currie Cup level, and where the players involved in the provinces play when they are making recovery back to provincial rugby. In fact, it used to be mandatory for provincial players to be a member of some club below the provincial level, so back in those days we would often train with some of these guys. That said, the 2nd team was a big step down from 1sts, so as I say, my level was never 'top notch'.
As the years went on, and I moved locations, I dropped down the leagues. I've ended up in England for the last 9 years, for most of that have played at a fairly low level club here. And you know what, it's been some of the most fun rugby of my life! I'm lucky though, in that England has an incredibly deep level of leagues, so you can always find your place. I'm a naturally fit guy, but can't maintain the size and strength needed for a decent level. I also have/had a large group of expat friends from South Africa (with the odd kiwi and aussie thrown in), all of who played at a pretty decent level some time in the past, and we all joined the same club and dominated their 2nd and now 3rd team. Most of us could be playing 1sts, but we don't want to or don't have time for training, so we pitch up on Saturdays for a game. Most of us are backs, or loose forwards, and the grizzly old English forwards love us. They just need to do the job up front, get us clean ball and we have a go, running from anywhere, and most of the time paying off. We went unbeaten for almost two seasons. I'm not saying the rugby is a walk over, it's not, and it's certainly pretty physical because that's the strength of a lot of the players at this level, but defences are less organised and it allows for some really fun rugby from both sides.
After that essay, my point is, don't judge those guys running around in 'slow motion'. That describes our forward pack, with the a few exceptions, and even some of our backs at times, but I promise you, we all have a lot of fun!
The only problem? Injuries are still going to happen, they always will. You've got to decide if you can live with that or not. At the moment I'm 'retired'
again because of a constantly dislocating shoulder. I'm yet to decide if I get it fixed again, or just bow out 'gracefully' as I probably should.
