The 24-year-old, who travels from Geelong every week, returned to his junior club in the off-season after eight years away from Noorat Recreation Reserve.

And since his homecoming playing footy has become enjoyable again.

"It was a big decision to come back in the pre-season and looking back I couldn't be happier," the 2011 premiership player said.

"I get to play with people I grew up with years ago as well as my cousins and it's been everything I hoped for."

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In his time away Bourke, who works as a sub-contractor for Stegbar in Geelong, spent time as a rookie on Geelong's AFL list before playing in the club's VFL side.

He then joined Leopold in the Geelong Football League in 2015, playing in the club's 2016 premiership, before departing at the end of last season.

After nine games back in his home league the half-back flanker has returned to top form, featuring in the Power's best six times this season.

Bourke's reasoning for recapturing his best form was his adjustment back into District league life.

"Walshy (coach Ben Walsh) has been great for the club and I was a bit nervous coming back and was putting too much pressure on myself," he said.

"Now I am really just enjoying my footy and loving being back home and working with the kids, as we have a young group.

"I have been working with them to try and help develop their footy, which is something different for me and it's helping me love my footy."

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The former Cat said he had kept a close eye on a number of young stars rising through the ranks at the Power.

"(His cousins) Harry and Ben O'Sullivan are two players I watched play when they were 10 and 11 years old and they have impressed me since coming back," he said.

"Nick Hoare and Luke McConnell have also become terrific senior footballers and both have a lot of tricks.

"Luke Justin, who has been coming back form injury, I heard great things about and he has showed glimpses since coming back.

"The young group is fun to be a part of and it has been good watching them develop over the months I have been here."

Bourke said his enjoyment for footy also came back to the position he has begun to play over the past two seasons.

The Power defender has played most of his career on a wing until his Leopold coach, Guy Morphet, switched him onto a back flank, giving him a different perspective on where he belongs on the ground.

First-year Kolora-Noorat coach Ben Walsh has followed suit and kept the damaging left-footer in his new preferred position.

"I find it really good and I am able to read the game and let it come to you instead overthinking things," Bourke said of playing across half-back

"I also get to play on someone and I enjoy trying to shut them down and take them out of the game. Also get a bit of luxury to run off get a bit of the footy too."

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