When Zack Leonard lines up for Werris Creek in a trial match against Kootingal-Moonbi at the Creek on Saturday afternoon, he will do so as a recent first-time father.

The 25-year-old and his partner, Chloe Tickle (no relation to Magpies player-coach Cody Tickle), welcomed little Evie at Bathurst in February.

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They were living there at time, but have since returned to Werris Creek after Leonard - an apprentice railway signalling electrician - relocated to Tamworth for work.

Being back home and once again a Magpie, after last playing for the club in 2019, has left Leonard feeling "excited".

His stint in Bathurst was made more trying after he suffered a serious knee injury while playing for the Bathurst Panthers in a preseason trial last year. He is now fit.

"I'm just excited to put the boots on again," he said, adding that he feels "refreshed".

"Usually you're carrying injuries from the year before, or even the year before that. So I'm feeling fresher than what I have been for probably the last three years."

Adding to Leonard's buoyant mood is the emergence of his 18-year-old brother, Riley, as a potential first-grader this season.

They played together for the first time in a recent trial against Dungowan, and will both play against the Roosters.

Leonard said his brother had a lot of football in him. "It's just a matter of getting it out of him," he added.

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