Sam Kelly has signed on with the Hampden league club for the 2018 season.

Kelly played for Geelong league outfit Grovedale before suffering a serious knee injury in September 2016.

The injury ruled him out of the entire 2017 campaign.

South Warrnambool coach Mathew Buck said Kelly, who will commute from Geelong, had recovered and was ready to return to the field.

“He’s excited to be back,” he said.

“He’s a pretty agile player – a key position forward and can go through the ruck.

“Being on a wing is something he can do as well.”

Kelly’s commitment comes after former AFL-listed midfielder Josh Saunders signed on for a second season.

Saunders was limited to five matches, plus an interleague fixture, in his first year at the Friendly Societies’ Park club after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament.

Buck said the ex-St Kilda footballer’s commitment, coupled with Kelly’s return, was a promising start to the Roosters’ off-season.

He said retaining the list, which took the club to its first finals campaign in six years, was important.

“We need to make sure we look after everyone at this point,” Buck said.

The Warrnambool College teacher, who is preparing for a third year at the Roosters’ helm, is yet to determine a start date for their pre-season training.