The former AFL footballer will return to the Bulldogs for the first time since helping them to a Riverina League premiership as a schoolboy in 2002.

Turvey Park beat clubs from across the Riverina to secure the services of Campbell on a one-year deal.

The 31-year-old was set for a year off football but the lure of helping Turvey Park get back on track proved too strong to turn down.

“I wasn’t going to play at all,” Campbell said.

“I decided to have a year off coaching and I wasn’t going to play at all to be honest.

“Home isn’t too far away and I felt a little bit sorry for them so if I can help the club out at all then I’m happy to go back and do it.”

Campbell has spent the past two seasons as coach of Ovens and Murray League club Corowa-Rutherglen, but moved back to Wagga last year.

Before that, he spent two years on the Adelaide Crows list, either side of a decorated career at South Australian National Football League (SANFL) club Norwood.

Campbell has only played 20 games over the past four years as he battled injury and has told Turvey Park he will not be able to play all 16 games as he juggles family and work commitments.

He also warned he is no saviour.

“If I can just help out across all areas of the club, talking to the younger players and all that sort of stuff, that’s what I will be focused on,” he said.

“My best footy is a long way gone but I still feel in reasonable enough nick to make a contribution.”

Turvey Park coach Brad Burkinshaw could not be happier to welcome Campbell on board.

“I’m real happy, you can’t beat the experience Bryce has,” Burkinshaw said.

“I couldn’t imagine anyone in the league that has the kind of experience he has.

“It’s a big boost for the young side that we’re going to have, and he’s going to be just as good off the field as he will be on. It’s invaluable.”

Campbell, who played eight AFL games, was contacted by almost every club in the Riverina.