Former Junee flyer Daniel Foley has joined Kangaroos for the upcoming Group Nine season and will be joined by backrower Patrick Guthrie.

Foley spent this season at Southcity after Junee was unable to field a first grade team but has decided on a switch to cross-town rivals Kangaroos under new coach James Smart.

Foley is a Riverina representative and was a shining light through some tough times at Diesels.

Smart confirmed Foley will return to his favoured position at full-back at Kangaroos.

"We'll look to play Fole at full-back. He's just a dangerous player and guy like that you want his hands on the ball as much as you can," Smart said.

Foley slotted in at centre at Southcity this year and the lure of taking on the full-back position at Kangaroos was a big factor in his decision to switch camps.

"I had a meeting with Smarty and Hursty over at Roos and liked the things they had to say to us," Foley said.

"Obviously the attraction of me playing my preferred role at full-back over there as well was pretty big. I'm keen for that."

Foley believes it is the right time to be joining Kangaroos, who were poised to return to the Group Nine finals this year before COVID struck.

"I think they're on the up for sure. The last couple of years they've been building and I think it's a good time to jump on board," he said.

Foley explained that it was a tough decision to leave Southcity after just one season.

"It was actually. Obviously Southcity have had a fair bit of player turnover for next year so just a bit of uncertainty at the club there was a little bit of a factor so I thought it was best for us to go to Roos," he said.

Smart is thrilled to welcome both Foley and Guthrie to the club.

"It's great to have both of the boys on board. They fill two really crucial spots for us in the side," Smart said.

"I've known Foles for a number of years now and haven't had a heap to do with Patty but I've been really impressed by him. He just seems like a great fella and everyone that I've spoken to about him says that he's a great bloke and it's a bonus for us that he's a good footballer as well and will play a key role in the side."

Smart expects Guthrie to fit in somewhere in the back row, a spot he is experienced in.

"Obviously he's played most of his footy in the back row so he'll probably be lock, back row, somewhere there," he said.

"We won't start training until mid January and then we'll take the time we need through the trials to see where everyone fits but obviously you bring guys like that into your squad and you want to play them in their most natural position."

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The signing of Foley and Guthrie continue a promising start to the off-season at Kangaroos since signing Smart.

Kangaroos have already welcomed Will Herring from Gundagai.

"The main priority for us was, we didn't have an under 18s side last season and we lost four or five guys out of the first grade team from this year so we obviously needed to recruit," Smart said.

"First and foremost, if there were some guys around that were looking for an opportunity to play regular first grade then we certainly wanted to give them that opportunity and to pick up guys like Dan Foley and Pat Guthrie, again, not only are they quality first graders but senior players as well.

"They've been in the competition for a number of years now and know what needs to get done. They will be a huge benefit for me in my first year of coaching the club."

In further positive news for Kangaroos, it is understood Foley and Guthrie will join the club on a soft limit under the proposed new points system given they were signed before October 31.

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