Brothers Ben and Tom Warner are excited to play again for their hometown team, having last kitted up for the Bulldogs back in 2010.

They will be joined by David Buttriss, brother of Canberra Raiders hooker Glenn Buttriss, who is returning from three seasons off after winning two grand finals with Sawtell.

“It means a lot to be back home, I love playing here, I always have,” Ben said.

“There’s a good buzz around it and a lot of blokes are really excited for us and Dave to be back.”

The Warner brothers should be familiar faces to Bulldogs supporters, having played here as teenagers and coming from a strong family of local rugby league legends including father Anthony Warner, uncles John Warner, Anthony Walsh and Gerad Walsh, and grandfathers Ross Warner and Bernie Walsh.

Club president Wayne Berkrey believes local supporters will really enjoy seeing the brothers in action again.

“People love to watch the guys play when they can say they played alongside their grandfather, their dad, their uncle,” Wayne said.

“Quality is always the most important though, and these two boys really are quality.”

The club has effectively already doubled the number of representative players from last season, but Wayne has indicated they’re still in the market for quality and looking to hold on to their existing players.

For the time being though the Warner brothers are a crucial early recruitment, older brother Ben bringing strength and movement as a centre and Tom a formidable second-rower.

The boys played for Harden in 2011 and then had two strong seasons with Yenda Blueheelers, also being selected for the group 20 representative team, before returning to group nine last year and making their presence felt for Wagga Brothers.

They believe the experience has added to their game and made them a more potent combination.

“We wanted new challenges, it’s good to be out of your comfort zone,” Tom said.

“When you’re challenging locals for a regular spot in the team it really pushes you.”

Ben added they’ve learned a lot from training and playing alongside different players, including hooker Adam Perry, who won an NRL premiership in his nine-year career with the Canterbury Bulldogs.

Wayne revealed he has been trying to lure a few local players back for years now, but it was the appointment of co-coaches Luke Berkrey and Aaron Byrne that proved decisive.

“It’s a good move from the club and we’re great mates with them,” said Ben.

Tom says the team has already put a competitive side together and he wants to challenge for a semi-final spot, believing he has “something to prove” as neither Cootamundra nor Wagga made the finals last season.

Ben also wants to make the semi-finals and be competitive every game, but Wayne is more philosophical about their prospects for the season.

“I want them to make the semi-finals, but I’ll be happy if they stay fit and healthy, and enjoy themselves out there,” Wayne said.

“I’m easily impressed as long as all the boys are giving it 110 per cent.”