Then there's the opportunity to help his good mate, Goannas coach and former Belconnen mentor Jeremy Rowe, help end the club's 27-year premiership drought.

The 34-year-old key forward opted not to play this season, partly due to coronavirus but also to give his body a break after a run of niggling injuries.

York played under Rowe when he was coach of Belconnen's NEAFL outfit in 2014, and is looking forward to renewing their partnership.

"I've never played anywhere other than Canberra before, so I thought I'd have a crack at something different," York said.

"I'm very close mates with Rowey, he called about me playing this year and I was pretty set on having some time off, but I got pretty stir crazy over winter.

"It's a good opportunity and before we're both too old I thought I'd have a run out there this year."

"I've only heard good things about the footy out there. I'm getting a bit older and slower and have had a few soft tissue injuries. I know it's a tiny bit slower than Canberra footy which will help me, and hopefully I can kick a couple of goals."

York said he's confident of forging a dangerous combination with Trent Castles after the prolific goalkicker decided to re-commit to the Goannas after playing for them in this year's AFL Riverina Championship.

"I've heard they've already got a good key forward so I'm looking forward to seeing what he does and trying to complement him," he said.

"Hopefully he can get their main key defender and I can get someone smaller.

"I can also play in the backline if needed and it would be nice to stay in the 50, but it doesn't bother me.

"I'm looking forward to playing in front of a crowd for once. You get about 50 people to a Canberra game and they're generally family and close friends.

"It would be good to have the atmosphere of a country footy game."

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