FORMER Adelaide Crows player Tony Modra and long time girlfriend Erica Jacobs are currently enjoying being part of the local community in Victor Harbor, after settling down on the farm Tony purchased 7 years ago.

Tony and Erica own over 400 acres and are running more than 100 cattle on the farm that Tony's Mum and Dad were looking after while they were living in Adelaide, Perth and touring the country.

"The farm was my getaway when I was playing with Adelaide and we always planned to move here when I retired," Tony said.

It is well documented that Tony Modra was the high flying forward of the Adelaide Crows who was traded to Fremantle. After retiring from AFL football Tony and Erica travelled around Australia for 12 months in a campervan, visiting exciting places and getting away from the AFL scene.

Over the last 6 months they have settled into the local life on the farm with Tony playing cricket and Erica tennis, both with Encounter Bay.

"As soon as I arrived I got roped into playing a game of cricket. I was just having a beer with a few of the locals such as Todd Butler, Ricey and Jaenchy and the team was short, so I said OK," Tony said.

Tony played the season, and had success as an opening bowler and a late order 'slogger' with the A grade side.

"The comradeship amongst the cricket team was terrific and I enjoyed being involved. To the older blokes in the team to the youngsters it was a good cross section," Tony said.

"The people are great, although I remember one night when I had a couple of beers and Peeky offered me a ride home. However he needed some petrol, so I said I would pay for some. We pull into the petrol station and I go into get something to eat while Peeky, with a big smile on his face puts some juice into the car. I go to pay for the food and petrol and the attendant says $48.90 please. Peeky had an empty tank and I got an expensive trip home," Tony says with a grin.

After 4 years of being asked to play football for Encounter Bay the day has finally arrived and in 2004 Tony Modra will don on a blue and gold guernsey.