Wallis was 21 when he captained the league to a big win against Picola in 2015, kicking four goals in the game that broke a six-year drought for the Farrer League.

“It’s good to be back… and there’s a bit more at stake this year, I suppose, playing the Riverina League. There’s a bit of rivalry there,” Wallis said.

“Speaking to a few older blokes, they tend to harp on that a bit so there’s definitely a bit of feeling there I guess, from their perspective.”

Wallis moved to Mildura in 2016 and was recovering from injury last year. 

He said the Farrer League will be keen to “take the game on” but knows Riverina’s midfield will bear close watching, as will his former rep teammate, Marc Geppert (who kicked three in that win over Picola) who will be at full-forward for the opposition. 

“Obviously Gep up forward is going to be pretty dangerous, Olsson in the ruck, their midfield is pretty highly-regarded as well, and I think they’ve got a pretty even spread across the field,” Wallis said. “I don’t really know so much about the individuals but they’ll be a handy side, no doubt.

East Wagga-Kooringal’s Ben Absolum will again captain the Farrer this year, having led them to victory against the Ovens and King League last year.