LEETON-Whitton has received an unexpected boost on the eve of its first pre-season trial game with the surprise return of gun midfielder Bryce O'Garey.

The Crows best and fairest winner arrived back in town on Wednesday ready to reunite with Leeton-Whitton after his move home to Tasmania did not work out as planned.

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O'Garey originally signed as assistant coach at Glenorchy and moved home to Tasmania, but a lack of employment opportunities meant the talented ball- winner opted to return to the Crows.

O'Garey is rated as one of the best players in the Riverina Football League (RFL) and finished one vote behind Guy Orton, Jamie Maddox and Chris Gordon in last year's Jim Quinn Medal.

Leeton-Whitton coach Damian Lang welcomed the return of O'Garey with open arms.

"It's awesome for the footy club," Lang said.

"He couldn't find any work down there, which was a stumbling block for him.

"The desire to come back was still there."

Lang predicts O'Garey will again make a big impact for the Crows.

"He's done all pre-season with Glenorchy, so he's fitter than before," Lang said.

"I was talking to him about the move last week and he is pretty happy to come back here and prove a couple of points, which is good for us."

Lang maintained for most of the off-season that O'Garey was still a chance of playing for the Crows in 2013 despite signing with the Tasmanian club.

He admits he did give up hope eventually, though.

"At the end of January and start of February I gave up hope," Lang said.

"Given that he would have to make the move back and everything, I thought it was probably too late.

"But out of the blue last week I got a call. It's a massive boost for the club."

O'Garey will slot straight into the Leeton-Whitton team for its opening trial game tonight against Finley in the Barooga night series.

Lang said the Crows would field an undermanned team for the opener.

"We'll have about 10 out through unavailability," Lang said.

"The side we've got is still pretty handy and it gives an opportunity for the younger guys to step up and have a run around."

Also returning to training track for the Crows in recent weeks has been Will Overs, with Leeton-Whitton confident he will play with the club again this season despite remaining un-signed at the moment.

Grant Commins has also signalled his intentions to stay with Leeton-Whitton, despite having moved to Sydney for university.

He will return home for playing stints during holidays.