After missing out on Kyabram’s invincible 2016 flag and needing a refresh, the seasoned campaigner wondered if his future remained in the GVL.
Instead, Ciavarella, who had also had stints at Lake Wendouree and played in the NTFL, was on a mission to rekindle his love of the game and it led him to Tatura.
Since then, Ciavarella has felt right at home, and after recently passing the 100-game mark, Tatura’s #15 outlined the impact the club had made on him.
“It’s been a pretty good place to me, so I was happy to get to 100,” Ciavarella said.
“It’s a good feeling to get there. It’s taken a while with some COVID interruptions and I went to Darwin for a bit.
“For me, I probably lost a bit of the love for the game before I came over.
“I was looking for something a bit different. It’s been a good place for me and opened my eyes to what a footy club can do for a community and me as an individual.
“There was a lot of talk about the volunteers, the supporters, the town, just all of those things that makes the place tick.
“I did play in a successful team and unfortunately missed out on that, but it probably opened up a new perspective on what footy clubs can do for you rather than just winning and losing.
“It’s given me that love back for footy.”
Ciavarella, who played in Tatura’s back-to-back finals series in 2018 and 2019, has been a key leader in the Bulldogs' ongoing rebuild, holding positions in the club leadership group and as an assistant coach.
He remains one of the club’s important on-field operators, averaging 21 disposals playing in defence in a tough season for the 0-9 Tatura, which returns from the bye with a match-up against Mooroopna.
But, as he mentioned before, there are other focuses for Tatura than the win-loss column at current from the perspective of its seasoned campaigner.
“It’s just about trying to improve every week and every day,” he said.
“Based on outcomes, we’ve had some grim days, but that’s not what all clubs revolve around.
“I suppose that's why we keep trying to get better and try to improve, but also keep coming back year after year.”
Turning into the second half of the season, round 11 looms large as the pressure is dialled up a notch.
The Shepparton derby between the Bears and Swans at Deakin Reserve headlines the action, particularly for the former, which is on a five-game slide and outside the top six.
Kyabram and Rochester do battle at Moon Oval in a tantalising first versus second clash, while Echuca faces an improved Seymour desperate to keep its stake in the top echelon.
Benalla will be keen to keep the good times rolling following its upset of Mooroopna, welcoming Shepparton United to Benalla Showgrounds.
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