The Bulldogs beat a host of rival clubs to snare the services of Byrne, who will return to the club where it all began.

Byrne will return to his junior club for the first time since leaving the Bulldogs a decade ago for Melbourne.

The 29-year-old recently returned to Wagga and has decided on a return to Turvey Park.

New Turvey Park co-coach Mark Carroll is thrilled to have Byrne back at Maher Oval.

“It’s a really good fit for us, for him and us,” Carroll said.

“Nath is a Turvey junior, his sister Alex plays netball at the club and his parents, John and Irene, have been heavily involved at the club before.

“Not only is he a quality player but he’s a quality fella. He’s the perfect fit for us.”

Byrne was heavily pursued by clubs mid-year when he moved back to Wagga but he saw the season out with Avondale Heights in the Essendon and District League.

He spent the 2017 season in the Riverina League, travelling from Melbourne with friends to play at Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes, where he won the club’s best and fairest.

Byrne is held in high regard at Avondale Heights, where he is a best and fairest winner, former captain and member of their Golden Jubilee Team, their best team of 50 years.

He also spent a season in the VFL with Northern Blues.

Byrne can play in the ruck or in key positions at either end of the ground. Carroll is yet to decide on exactly where he will play for the Bulldogs.

“He’s pretty versatile. He can play centre-half-back, centre-half-forward or in the ruck,” he said.

“He’ll give us some size around the ground and he brings a lot of experience. He’ll be a great role model for our young group. He’s the perfect fit for us.”

Byrne’s signature comes less than a week after the announcement of Carroll and Jeremy Sykes as Turvey Park’s new co-coaches.

Carroll said everything was looking promising for next year.

“The place is really good to be around at the moment. Everything is pretty settled,” he said.

Turvey Park will begin pre-season training on November 26.

Byrne is the Bulldogs second signing after welcoming Luke Cuthbert across from East Wagga-Kooringal.

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