It's more than a year since Lawton signed with Shane Lenon's Bombers and after the 2020 season disappeared in a COVID-19 disturbance, Lawton says it's a long time since he's been this excited about football.

"Last year I came home to play with Marrar but unfortunately I didn't pull on the boots (apart from one practice match). But I'm keen to get out there this year, that's for sure," Lawton said.

"I'm jumping out of my skin. I haven't felt this excited for a footy season for a long time. I've got myself back on track now, I haven't been this fit or this excited for the best part of 10 years, to be honest."

Lawton's last season was 2019 with Mansfield in the Goulburn Valley League, where he kicked 49 goals in 18 games and was in their best in eight of them.

In 2016, he kicked 60 goals in 14 games with Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong (before heading to Corowa-Rutherglen).

A premiership player at the Lions in 2008, Lawton's resume also includes time at Coburg (VFL) and South Australian clubs Glenelg and Central Districts.

At nearly 200cm, the talented forward wants to take the Farrer League by storm.

"I've been training hard and I've been able to really focus on my health and fitness since early December," he said.

"I've got a new-found love for it. I've been hooking into the weights and I've been running most days. I'm absolutely rapt with the condition I'm in. I'm really keen to capture some good form... to hit some form that I was finding back then (at GGGM in 2016) would be awesome. But, like I said, I didn't feel this fit even back then.

"I wasn't as committed. I've never been as committed as I have been this year."

Lawton has walked a fine line on suspensions, accruing 15 weeks throughout his career to be within a game of deregistration.

Marrar coach Shane Lenon pointed out last year that Lawton had played with that over his head for five seasons, and his recent record was good.

Lawton said the coach was a big factor in him coming to the Farrer League club.

"I'm really looking forward to playing under Shane," he said.

"It's probably been a lifelong ambition after growing up at Ganmain and watching him take Ganmain to those premiership in the early 2000s. I was only a junior then but he was like a god to me and he always has been a strong role model.

"So when I got the chance last year to sign up, I was really excited... I was always going to take the opportunity to play under him and I'm absolutely stoked that I've got the chance."

Lawton was unavailable for last weekend's practice match loss at Collingullie but hopes to feature against Griffith this Saturday. He's enjoyed what he's seen at Marrar and as a senior player, hopes to offer plenty to a young playing group.

The Bombers will hold a season launch in their new clubrooms on Saturday.

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