Jack Lyons has returned to the Bulls following a year with Kangaroos.

With speed to burn, the representative winger will provide plenty of X-factor to the Bulls back line.

New Southcity captain-coach Kyle McCarthy is delighted he’s back with the club.

“It’s unreal,” McCarthy said. 

“He’s got blistering pace that is just unteachable.

“It is good to have him back.

“He’s been around the club so long that he’s like family so we love having him back.”

Lyons was part of Southcity’s 2016 premiership before switching to their crosstown rivals.

However he failed to reach his normal heights in part due to injury.

Lyons broke his wrist in the first game of the season and missed a large chunk of the season because of it.

McCarthy believes he’s ready to show what he’s got again in 2018.

“It was an unlucky way to do it, especially against us in round one last year,” he said.

“I’m sure he’s itching to get some football under his belt.”

Lyons is the only change to the premiers line up this season although Mick Glanville is also back after an injury lay off.

Both will take part in the West Wyalong Knockout on Friday.

Southcity will take almost a carbon copy of the team who downed Gundagai into the annual pre-season event with Lyons taking Scott Bowden’s place on the wing and Luke McBeath in at hooker, with Pani Manawatu likely to miss Friday due to travel, the main changes.

However the coach will miss the knockout following shoulder surgery last season.

However McCarthy was given the all clear to step up his training and expects to be ready for round one.

Southcity tackles Bathurst Panthers in the first round.

McCarthy is expecting a tough match up with the Western heavyweights and is looking forward to a number of different teams taking part this year.