The former Warrnambool footballer will make his Hampden return at a new home port, signing with rival powerhouse Koroit for 2017.

Hoy is working his way back from major shoulder surgery, which derailed his 2016 season with Queensland Football Association side Noosa after just one week.

“In round one I was just running in pursuit of the ball and put my arm out and dislocated my shoulder that I’d done already a couple of times,” he said.

“I had to have surgery; it put a real dampener on it (playing for Noosa).”

It was the latest in a string of injuries that had plagued Hoy for three years.

But since returning to Victoria, he has been going through a rehabilitation program with trainer Joel Cornelissen and has ticked every box so far.

“I haven’t missed a beat in pre-season, although it hasn’t been game contact,” Hoy said.

“I think I will be nearly 100 per cent for round one.”

Hoy said his switch to the Saints was prompted in part by a love of change and by his desire to train under new Koroit mentor Chris McLaren.

The 21-year-old previously crossed paths with the coach during his North Ballarat Rebels days.

“I really loved the way he looked at football,” Hoy said.

Hoy is looking to play a midfield/forward role for the Saints, but also has the potential to slot into half-back.

Koroit has also unveiled another recruit in Alex Pulling, from Merrivale.

The 19-year-old, whose family ties lured him to the club where his sisters and brother had played, said he was looking forward to the step up to the Hampden league.

“I expect it to be a lot more challenging than the District league,” he said.

“I just hope to become a better footballer. (I’ve been working on) fitness and kicking … just the usual things you do in pre-season.”

McLaren said the pair have impressed at training so far and was excited by what they could bring to the team.

The Saints have already proven their ability to handle a premiership defence, having gone back-to-back-to-back for the Hampden senior footy flag, and McLaren said there were no signs creeping in of the dreaded ‘premiership hangover’.

“When you’ve played in the last four grand finals, you still hope you’re motivated, but they’re as motivated as I’ve ever seen them,” McLaren said. “They’re super fit – they’ve been doing an enormous amount of running. They’ve put a fair bit of size on, a few of them, which is great.”