In an off-season shock, Fitzhenry yesterday revealed Barby had signed at the Wagga club with the sole aim of playing first grade.

"He (Barby) wants to have a crack," Fitzhenry said yesterday.

"That's the reason he came to the club.

"He's here to play first grade and if he shows he's good enough he'll be playing."

Boasting a blue-blood rugby league pedigree, Barby is young player with an imposing reputation.

Already a Country under-18 representative, the son of former swashbuckling forward Jay Barby shared a first grade Group 20 premiership with Lake Cargelligo this year.

The young gun scored a try as the Sharks rattled up a 12-0 lead on the way to 26-10- victory over Leeton in the Group 20 decider in September.

Fitzhenry yesterday admitted Barby was a "big chance" of playing first grade alongside frontline recruits Nick Skinner and Zac Merritt next year.

"He's (Barby) also got another year in the under-18s too," Fitzhenry said.

For Southcity, the recruitment of Barby has complemented the key signings of Skinner and Merritt.

Skinner returns to Wagga after five years away playing for Canberra and Manly, including six top grade NRL performances for the Sea Eagles.

Likewise, Merritt will arrive in Wagga after Christmas with a booming reputation in bush football.

Fitzhenry says Skinner is poised to play a critical dual role with the Bulls, doubling as a frontline forward and mentor for young players like Barby.

"A big part of what he (Skinner) can bring to the club is his professional attributes," Fitzhenry said.

"Obviously he's learned a lot and the young blokes will be able to learn from him being around the club."

New Southcity president Rod Porter yesterday echoed Fitzhenry's thoughts, saying he was keen for the club to nurture young players on and off the field.

Porter said yesterday it is important Group Nine clubs played a role in developing more than just the football careers of the players.

"That's one of my goals (as president)," Porter said.

A prominent Wagga businessman, Porter is also focused on building sponsorship and strengthening the relationship between the club and its backers.

For Fitzhenry, the beauty of having Skinner and Merritt on deck will be to ease the burden of veteran forwards Matt Ward and John Makeham.

Porter said younger props Jordan Shepherd and Keiran Schauf would also have a distinct place in the "rotation" system next year.

"It will be about sharing the workload," he said.

In a bonus signing, Southcity has snapped up Hay centre/second rower Shaun Aylett.

Southcity

Captain-coach: Daniel Fitzhenry

Recruits: Nick Skinner, Zac Merritt, Shaun Aylett, Troy Barby