Connor Neyland’s reign as the new senior coach is off to a strong start with confirmation Pleming will return to Coolamon after five years in the North Eastern Australian Football League (NEAFL).

Pleming, 23, will travel home from Canberra each week to play for his home club.

"I can’t wait, it’s going to be good to be able to get home,” Pleming said.

“It’s pretty hard with work, and then playing in winter in Canberra across the state. 

“It’s a good opportunity. I’m looking forward to it.”

Pleming will add class to Coolamon’s midfield that already boasts the likes of Mitch McKelvie, Jamie Maddox and Luke Redfern.

It was a combination of busy work commitments in Canberra and a love of the Hoppers that paved the way for Pleming’s return to Coolamon.

“Firstly, work commitments made it quite difficult with the travel and the training commitments with the Canberra Demons this year,” Pleming said.

“The club approached me and I watched a few games this year and from what I saw they had a really good young group of players so I thought I would take the opportunity to come back and help the club out.”

Pleming loved his time in the NEAFL. He initially joined Eastlake at the start of 2013 but missed the season due to a knee reconstruction.

He stayed with the club for a further four years, through their transformation to Canberra Demons and admits he will miss them.

“The Demons have been really good to me over the past five years and it was the best year we had for a long time last year,” he said.

“I would really recommend it for any players striving to play at a higher level.”

Neyland is happy to welcome Pleming on board.

“It’s good to have a junior that’s gone away and bettered his footy, come back,” Neyland said.

“He’ll bring some of that NEAFL experience back with him and we’ll benefit from that.”

Neyland expects Pleming to spend the majority of his time in the midfield, but added that he is versatile enough to play a number of roles.

Pleming is looking forward to playing under the new coaching combination of Neyland and his assistant, Marshal Macauley.

“Connor and Marshal are a really good fit to be coaches,” he said.

“Something new coaches have to do is come in and earn respect but Connor and Marshal have already got that so they are already a step ahead.”

The Hoppers hope to be in a position to announce further signings shortly.