The former Murray Bushranger returns to his junior club after stints with Coburg in the VFL and most recently West Preston Lakeside in the Northern Football Netball League.

Clarke has been named in the NFNL Division 1 Team of the Year on numerous occasions in recent seasons.

Wangaratta coach Ben Reid said the solidly built Clarke would slot into the Magpies midfield.

"It's great to get 'Jacko' back after previously playing thirds at the club," Reid said.

"After playing a bit for the Bushrangers he moved down to Melbourne and has played for Coburg and West Preston Lakeside.

"He's played in a few flags and has been named in the Team of the Year at West Preston Lakeside a couple of times.

"'Jacko' has spent a lot of time playing half-back but has indicated he wants to have a crack in the midfield.

"So he will get that opportunity and it will be good to get another big body into the midfield and give Matt Kelly a bit of a chop out at the same time.

"'Jacko' is physically ready and has now got a bit of experience and will no doubt be an asset and add depth to our rotations."

Clarke, 24, will initially travel from Melbourne but could relocate back to Wangaratta at some stage.

"'Jacko' is about to hit his prime as a footballer and he will be around the club for the next five or six years and is a leader," he said.

"I think he will travel at first but is looking to move back to Wangaratta with his partner."

Reid who will coach the Magpies for the first time this season has re-signed the majority of the list including prized recruits Abraham Ankers and Cal Moore.

Premiership forward and former North Melbourne player Ben Speight is yet to formally commit at Norm Minns Oval next season and is weighing up his options.

"Being able to re-sign the majority of the list is huge for us and the main priority," Reid said.

"But I'm also mindful of developing the younger guys and getting plenty of games into them this season.

"Ben is probably unlikely at this stage but we have got faith in the younger guys who will be given opportunities to help cover the loss."

Reid expected the Magpies to be relatively quiet on the recruiting front for the rest of the off-season.

"I'm happy with our list and it was just basically about re-signing blokes over the off-season," he said.

"You never say never in regards to recruiting but keeping off-season departures to a bare minimum was the priority which we have been able to achieve and is satisfying."

The Magpies will commence pre-season training on November 9.

"The first couple of weeks will just be about getting the guys together," he said.

"By the time pre-season starts it will have been 16 weeks since we last played.

"So it will be interesting to see how everybody has looked after themselves with so much time off.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: