In a recruiting masterstroke by the Swampies, the 300-gamer has shelved plans to retire to play under former teammate Joel Price.

Leslie, 35, said it was the strong North Albury-Henty connection which drew him to the Hume Football League club.

“I seriously thought about retiring and didn’t really have any plans to go anywhere but ‘Pricey’ gave me a call and I thought I’d have another crack at it,” Leslie said.

“North Albury and Henty have had a strong connection over the years so that was a big part of it.

“I played with ‘Pricey’ and Matt Klemke at North and Brent Piltz for a long time and the connection goes back even further to Brenden Maclean and Mark Eyers who went out to Henty.”

Leslie finished third in North Albury’s best and fairest this season despite managing only 12 matches due to injury.

He has played his entire career at Bunton Park with the exception of a season with Perth in 2005.

At least one other powerful Hume league club spoke to Leslie.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Leslie said.

“I think Henty will have a good side so it will be good to get out there.”

Leslie is North Albury’s longest-serving captain, won three best and fairests with the Hoppers and broke Stan Sargeant’s games record of 289 matches this year.

Price said Leslie would be a huge asset on and off the field.

“We’re rapt to have Dan at Henty,” Price said.

“His record is second to none in the Ovens and Murray and he’s going to be great for the younger blokes in particular.

“Henty and North Albury have a fair bit of history and that was a big thing in Dan coming on board.”

Leslie has spent time in defence, up forward and through the midfield in recent years and, like fellow Henty player Jared Brennan, could be used anywhere on the ground by Price.

The Swampies are confident of keeping this year’s losing preliminary final side together with star pair Damian Cupido and Daniel Cox re-committing for another season.