Eastlake stalwarts Dean Biermann and Joey Kerin will line up for the Magpies this year, as more clubs look to Canberra as a strong option to bolster their squads.

Kerin is a full forward and has won a couple of league medals in Canberra's second grade, and kicked nearly 50 goals in one of his seasons in first grade.

Biermann is more versatile but is most at home at centre half-forward. Magpies co-coach Heath Russell said being able to tie up two talented targets inside 50 was a huge boost.

"We've got two big targets there which is great, key forwards don't grow on trees," Russell said.

"We identified getting the ball inside 50 was probably not the major issue, it was more keeping the ball in and these guys will help.

"There's still other areas of the ground we'd like to straighten up a little bit, but two forwards is a great result for the footy club."

A handful of teams have picked up players from Canberra this year, with the league in the ACT growing smaller in recent years.

"I was lucky enough to be involved at Narrandera in 2012 and we had about half a dozen come from Canberra," Russell said.

"I saw how successful it can be if you get the right people in, and this year we were really careful about our recruiting.

"We want good footy players but also good people, and you can see what benefits they have if you get the right Canberra guys in."

Russell said it remains to be seen how the year off due to coronavirus last year affects the club and the Farrer League as a whole.

"The numbers at training sessions (before Christmas) were about on par with this time last year. We're just really hoping the boys who haven't returned start to get keen and get involved again," he said.

"We're pretty confident most of the boys are aiming to come back.

"We've spoken to them and the lead-up to Christmas is always pretty hectic, so hopefully they get back in that footy routine again once we're back."

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