In a huge boost to the Magpies’ prospects of staying in the top five after the departure of star trio Jon McCormick, Jesse Smith and Michael Hooper, Boyle signed at the Norm Minns Oval on Wednesday night along with Frankston forward Dale Whelan.

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Boyle, who played 15 senior matches for Werribee last season and was picked up by Port Adelaide with selection No.31 in the 2007 AFL rookie draft, also spoke to Benalla.

Magpie coach Judd Porter said yesterday the club was thrilled to have Boyle back in the black and white.

“We’re very happy to have Boyley back,” Porter said.

“He’s a terrific young fellow and will fit in nicely.

“He spent last year down in Melbourne at Werribee and is moving home for uni.

“Boyley is a fairly versatile type of player so will just have to wait and see how we want to structure things.”

Boyle, 21, played three senior matches for Wangaratta when free of Murray Bushrangers commitments in 2007 and is expected to play in the new-look Magpie midfield with fellow signings Brendan Liddell and ruckman Chris Daws.

Whelan, also 21, has moved to the North-East and is expected to play in attack after managing 12 goals from centre half-forward in his 14 senior matches for Werribee last season.

He showed he can also play in defence by shutting down former AFL and Williamstown player Jason Cloke last season.

“He’s a decent size and will give us another target,” Porter said.

“I’m happy enough with where we are at.

“Having the majority of the group training together is handy too.”

Wangaratta bowed out of the premiership race when it lost a thrilling first semi-final against Wodonga last year with Porter able to keep the bulk of the Magpies’ list together over the pre-season.