But the Hopper bigman will still be a familiar face at Bunton Park.

The former Melbourne personal trainer has taken over as the club’s fitness coach, while head coach Travis Hodgson is in charge of the skill sessions.

“We have only been going a couple of weeks but because I can’t run yet it’s a good way to stay involved and be a part of it,” Hodgson said.

“ ‘Hoggy ’ wanted another voice on the track and because I did some fitness work in Melbourne before I came here I said I would help out.

“It’s been good.

“I will have an MRI in a couple of weeks and, although my knee is coming along a bit slower than I thought, hopefully I’ll be right after Christmas to start running and joining in.”

Hodgson had surgery in June after injuring himself in last season’s preseason and was one of several key Hoppers to miss the bulk of the home and away series as they narrowly missed the finals.

“Rob’s been great,” Travis Hodgson said.

“He has a background in fitness and brings something different to the table.”

Culcairn’s Marcus Gostellow is among the new faces to train at North Albury while former Yarrawonga and Wodonga Raiders player Joel Price has signed with the club.

Matt McDonald has taken over from Brent Piltz as assistant coach.

North Albury is confident of keeping the bulk of last year’s list together with star midfielder Brad Horn the most notable loss, while ruckman Ash Eames is unlikely to return.

Eames, who works in Melbourne, was continually frustrated by injury in his return from a foot reconstruction last season and has been training with VFL club Frankston in a bid to return to full fitness.