After two years as assistant coach to Jason McPherson, Forsyth has been promoted to the top job ahead of this year’s return to Victoria.

Farrer League will take on Ovens and King in Wangaratta on May 20 and will be looking to bounce back after last year’s six-goal loss to Black Diamond League.

Forsyth, 33, is a premiership player at The Rock-Yerong Creek and coached Picola League club Rennie for two years before retiring.

Forsyth plans to build on the impressive platform laid by McPherson.

“I think it’s been reinvigorated, rep footy, a bit by Jason McPherson and I was lucky enough to be apart of that,” Forsyth said.

“So when the opportunity came up I jumped at it. It’s an honour. 

“Hopefully I can bring a different perspective, seeing as I played footy in a different area, and try to create that enthusiasm for players to play.

“I want to continue (McPherson’s) good work.”

Farrer League president David Oehm is a big supporter of representative football and along with Forsyth’s appointment, he also announced that the best players will be selected this year.

A number of high profile players were missing in last year’s squad as McPherson opted to go with the best footballers who wanted to play.

Oehm is determined to get Farrer League’s best team on the paddock.

“This year we’re going to pick the best team we possibly can,” Oehm said.

"Last year the travelling players weren’t considered but this year we’re going to make all players available to be considered for selection.”

Aaron de Jong has been appointed as Forsyth’s assistant with one selector still to be named.

North Wagga under 17 premiership coach Nigel Smith will lead Farrer League’s under 18 representative team, that will also play Ovens and King in Wangaratta.

The only stipulation, put forward by Ovens and King, is that first grade players will be ineligible for under 18 selection.