Former player James Hussey set for a return to South Warrnambool

Geelong-based James Hussey is the third former Rooster to return this off-season, joining match-winners Joe Dalton and Josh Saunders.

The 28-year-old, who is back after spending a season with Bellaraine Football League club Newcombe, is the side's fifth inclusion for 2020.

Liam Mullen (Bacchus Marsh) and Kai Davies (Lavington) are the Roosters' other signings.

Hussey, who last played in 2018, said the club's active off-field efforts were what lured him back.

"With some of the boys heading back to play like Joe Dalton and couple of others and the recruits they have got, it is an exciting time and it's good to be on board," the former Werribee player said.

"I have been keeping track and following them closely and they have been getting close and consistently playing finals. Hopefully I can be a part of taking them forward."

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The carpenter, who moved to Geelong in 2013, said his football future was up in the air weeks before coming to his decision to return.

"I sort of thought about it over the last couple of months but I was a bit up in air if I was going to play footy," he said.

"But it sounds like it's exciting times down at South and that helped me make the decision to play.

"Basically injuries (was what I was tossing up) as I have had a few of those and I had knee surgery over the break at the end of last season and I was just tossing up whether to play again.

"It was an arthroscope to just clean out the knee. It feels good now and is basically at 100 per cent."

The tough on-baller, who will slot back into Roosters' engine room, will be commuting every weekend with Dalton.

The pair last played together at the Roosters in 2012.

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