JUNEE has pulled off one of the biggest Group Nine recruiting coups of the past decade by snaring the services of explosive Southcity centre Peter Little.

Junee yesterday signalled its intentions to return to the top of Group Nine rugby league with the signings of Little, Southcity team mate Will Merritt and Canberra under 20 hooker Trent Schubach.

Little makes the controversial decision to switch camps just two months after being part of the Southcity team that went down to Albury in the Group Nine grand final.

The departure of Little and Merritt follows the decision of captain-coach Daniel Fitzhenry to quit the Bulls and join Temora earlier this month.

Little yesterday played down his switch to The Daily Advertiser and said it simply time for a change.

"I wouldn't say it's a big call," Little said.

"I needed a change, I've been with the Bulls for six years.

"We played Junee during the year and they've started to rebuild and with me and Will coming over that should definitely help rebuild the club.

"It's something a bit different."

Little said he will miss his Bulls team mates.

"Absolutely, all the boys are unreal," he said.

"It's very hard to leave my mates, that's the biggest thing, more than the club or anything.

"That's one thing that kept me at the club for so long."

While the switch from Southcity to Junee by Little and Merritt is set to cause a stir, Junee is most excited by the return of Schubach.

A crafty hooker who is tenacious in defence, Schubach captained Canberra Raiders SG Ball team to the 2012 grand final.

Schubach, 20, played the last two seasons in the under 20 competition and has made the decision to return to his junior club.

McCarthy is thrilled with Schubach's return.

"He's our major signing," he said.

"Trent's a local boy that played the last two or three years in the Raiders' under 20s and you're no mug if you played at that level.

"We're very happy he's coming home."

Schubach said the temptation to return to the Diesels was too hard to resist.

"It was hard, I had offers from other clubs but it's very hard to go against your home town," Schubach said.

"It's going to be a bit of a change but the club's got some good juniors coming through and hopefully it can be a building year."