Jarrad Stack has a renewed enthusiasm for rugby league after making the switch to Barrow Raiders from Workington Town.

The second row decided to bring his eight-year stay at Derwent Park to an end following Town’s relegation from the Kingstone Press Championship at the end of the 2016 season.

And, while it was a wrench for Stack to bid farewell to the club he has called home for the best part of a decade, he cannot wait to get started at Raiders under head coach Paul Crarey.

“I’ve got a massive buzz and I don’t think I’ve had this buzz in a while,” said Stack. “I can’t wait to pull on the jersey and play with the likes of (Martin) Aspinwall and (Oliver) Wilkes.

“It’s a shame (Liam) Harrison is retiring – maybe someone can push him to come back – but there are a lot of new young lads, and I’m looking forward to helping them out and giving my experience, and moving on.

“It was a massive decision. I’ve been there for eight years, but under the circumstances with Workington unfortunately going down, it gave me an opportunity.

“I’ve always wanted to play under Cresta (Crarey), he’s been up a few times and I like his style of coaching, so that was the easy part of the decision.

“Obviously, it was a hard decision because I’ve been there eight years and been through thick and thin, but it’s time for a fresh start with Cresta and to hopefully push for promotion.”

Family circumstances played a part in the move to Barrow too as Stack lives in Ireleth and has a desire to remain close to his partner, with their first child on the way.

Indeed, Crarey revealed it was the 28-year-old who made contact with him first, with the Raiders coach subsequently asking the club’s directors to approach Workington’s recently-elected chairman Gary Mounsey for clearance to discuss terms with Stack.

Crarey is naturally delighted the two parties have been able to agree a deal and is excited by what Stack can add to the Barrow squad as they bid to secure promotion from League One in 2017.

“I’ve never seen a bloke buzzing to play for a club like Jarrad is,” said Crarey. “He’s ready to go and we’re pleased to have him.

“He’s been the player-of-the-year five times for Workington, he’s got a fantastic attitude and approach to the game, and to his preparation and we can’t have enough of professionalism in this squad. He’ll add that and more, and with the players we’ve got, he’ll make us more solid.

“If it wasn’t us, there would definitely be a whole host of clubs queuing up to take him, but we’re happy he’s opted for us. First and foremost, he’s a good bloke as well.

“He’s a genuine bloke and with genuine players, you seem to get the best out of them. He’s an outstanding athlete, outstanding player and outstanding person, so we’re pleased to get him at the club.”

Stack knows he is likely to be in for a hostile reception when Barrow and Workington renew their rivalry in League One next year, while there will also be another Cumbrian clash with Whitehaven.

But the softly-spoken Australian is taking that all his in stride and his main focus is on doing what he can to help the Raiders ensure they return to the Championship after missing out on promotion in 2016.

“I’m sure that there is going to be a few boos and that, but nothing that will faze me as soon as I am on the field.” said Stack with a smile, adding: “Then it’s going to be a different story.

“There have been some good battles against Barrow in the past and probably beating them was the best memory, but I won’t have to worry about that.

“I’m sure we’ll do the job against all of the teams and get the promotion because that is the main factor, playing up in the Championship. I want to do that with this club.”