North Albury receive a boost with return of David Farrell for 2021-22 CAW Provincial season

The Hopper junior and Australian under-18 representative is back in the green and gold after three and a half seasons at Belvoir following his departure in December, 2017.

Since debuting as a 16-year-old at Bunton Park, Farrell has scored more than 7000 runs and made 12 provincial centuries, nine of which came in his time at North Albury.

Farrell made an unbeaten 167 as the Hoppers chased down Wodonga's 9-276 to clinch victory in the 2008-2009 decider.

"I heard a few whispers he was coming back and it's obviously great news for the club," long-time North Albury teammate Brendan Simmons said.

"He played with us as a junior and played in a few premierships, so having him come back to the club is a massive boost for us.

"We're stoked to have him back."

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Simmons in unsure what plans the club has for Farrell, but he believes he'll have an impact in whatever role he plays.

"I've been at North a long time now and played with him pretty much right through up until he went to Belvoir," Simmons said.

"I know what he brings and it's pretty big signing to get him back to North.

"He seems like he's pretty keen to get back and ready to go, so we're pumped to have him."

Farrell's departure is another major blow to Belvoir which has already lost captain Nat Sariman and John Spencer to Albury this off-season.

The Hoppers fell to Lavington in last season's grand final after finishing top of the ladder and didn't get the chance to face Wodonga in the decider a year earlier due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Wodonga was awarded the premiership as the higher ranked team after the regular season when the grand final was cancelled.

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