The acquisition of the 34-year-old who has kicked 404 goals in 241 games for Belconnen Magpies and has also played NEAFL, follows the retention of prolific goalkicker Trent Castles after he played for MCUE in this year's AFL Riverina Championship.

It means the Goannas will have two key pillars up forward as targets as they search for a first premiership since 1993 after bowing out in this year's elimination final.

The club has also announced another Canberra player Nick Collins will return for a third season after a super 2020 campaign, and has been elevated to co-captain alongside incumbent Paddy Griffin.

York didn't play this year due to coronavirus and Rowe said the club had been in talks about luring him to the Riverina League.

"Yorkey's such a terrific bloke and a real larrikin, and his football ability can be underplayed," Rowe said.

"For over a decade he's been one of Canberra's best key forwards. He's played high quality footy at NEAFL level and representative football for Canberra, and he kicked 88 goals in 2015 and 61 in 2017.

"His experience and know-how and the fact he's one of the best blokes to bring into a footy club environment makes us really happy to have him on board."

Rowe said it's a good headache to have to work out how York and Castles co-exist alongside the other members of their forward line.

"Chris has played quite a bit of centre half forward over his career, however being at the tail end of his career now I'd prefer to keep him a bit closer to goal," he said.

"We're probably not necessarily set up in the traditional sense with our forward structure. We still want to keep Trent as close to the goals as we possibly can, and then Yorky gives that flexibility depending on who you're playing against in terms of whether you bring two out from square, set one up 30 metres from goal or someone can roam a bit higher.

"I'll be excited to work those two in around everyone else in the forward line and come up with something that's quite deadly, and I think we can."

Rowe said Castles' decision to remain at the club was a huge boost, and expects York's arrival to make them even tougher to defend.,

"We definitely felt that spearhead close to goal was something we needed. That's why we got Trent on board and retaining him for next season is massive for us," Rowe said.

"It wasn't a necessity to bring another guy in of a similar ilk but the fact we had talks with Yorky last year and I'm quite close mates with him, we wanted to go down that path again.

"In the modern game, even at country level the backs become so good at dropping off a man and creating a two or three-on-one. We want as many avenues to goal as possible so the opposition defence feel they have to stay one-on-one."

Rowe said the decision to elevate Collins to co-captain was designed to bring another perspective into the leadership process, but also to help Griffin develop into a long term leader.

"He's brought a massive amount to our club in a small time frame, and it's a bit left field to have a travelling player coming down and being one of your captains," Rowe said.

"We feel Paddy is a terrific captain and see him as a long term captain, but at the moment being able to work with a guy like Nick is going to help with his leadership."

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