Xavier Lyons, a backman in Wagga Tigers' grand final-winning side of 2019, has joined the Saints who are keen to defend their own flag of two years ago when the Farrer League resumes next year.

North Wagga had significant departures after their last season and coach Cayden Winter says Lyons is a valuable addition.

"We're stoked to have him on board. He's a ripping kid and obviously a good player. You don't get to play in an RFL premiership if you're any sort of mug," Winter said.

"I think he is pretty versatile and there are roles open there next year, whether it's half-back, wing, midfield, I'm not too sure yet.

"We'll see how pre-season pans out and how the praccie matches go and we'll go from there."

Lyons played every senior game in the 2018 and 2019 seasons at Tigers, including all four finals in the premiership year.

The 19-year-old said his excitement and interest waned in a disrupted 2020. He played six reserve grade games in the AFL Riverina Championship but wants to reignite his love of playing.

"I've got a few mates here that I'd like to spend a couple of years with and that sort of tipped me over the edge into leaving Tigers," Lyons said.

"I was a bit over playing RFL. It's pretty full-on. I'm not sure I'm that type of person.

"'Wiz' (Winter) has talked about maybe a new role and that's something that I'm quite keen to try. And just meeting new players and new mates will be good."

Lyons has always been at Tigers, where his father Anthony is club president.

He said it wasn't an easy decision to leave but he's comfortable it's a good move at the right time, and he's looking forward to the challenge of testing himself at a different club and in a different league.

It's a leap into the unknown. Although Lyons saw the Saints beat East Wagga-Kooringal in their grand final win he concedes he hasn't been able to see much of the Farrer League in recent years.

Lyons' first year in seniors was under Tigers coach Shaun Campbell, whose number seven he inherited in 2019 when Troy Maiden steered the club back to the top.

He said tasting grand final success in a brilliant team was a huge learning experience as well as a satisfying one.

"It was a really good experience, learning off those guys. A lot of hard work goes into it (winning a premiership), definitely," he said.

"It was the best highlight of my career so far. But I'm looking forward to hopefully winning one next year as well which would be good."

North Wagga had seven departures after 2019. Winter was excited to strike a blow in their recruitment plans and is positive about more to come.

"We obviously lost a few players after the grand final but the players that we'll bring in are quality people so we're looking forward to it," he said.

After a year without football for most of their players, Saints intend to kick off some pre-Christmas training in a couple of weeks before a proper pre-season begins in January.

"We'll start on the 19^th (of November). It won't be too much. Just a bit of a kick and get around the boys. That way when January rolls around we'll be able to get back into the fitness side of things and blokes won't be too sore," Winter said.