Boxall will play his first match for the Swans against Dederang-Mount Beauty on Saturday since finishing runner-up in the Tallangatta and District league's Barton medal as a 17-year-old in 2014.

"We're really excited to get a local bloke back home," Chiltern coach Luke Brookes said.

"He played all his footy at Chiltern until he was 17 so it's great for the club.

"He can obviously play so it's exciting."

Boxall showed flashes of brilliance in his 83 matches at Birallee Park and would have been a handful for opposition defences playing alongside star utility Jydon Neagle this year.

Wodonga Raiders football manager Brad Smith said it was a difficult pill to swallow in a tight Ovens and Murray season.

"As a club we are disappointed that eight days before a season Ethan has decided to go back to his home club," Smith said.

The half-forward signed with Canberra Demons in 2020 before returning to Wodonga Raiders after coronavirus led to the NEAFL season being abandoned.

Boxall had knee surgery after returning to the Border last year.

"It was good of Wodonga Raiders to let him go because he was contracted," Brookes said.

"He's got family at Chiltern and just wanted to come back."

Wodonga Raiders will look to open their winning account against reigning premier Lavington in a twilight match on Saturday.