The 24-year-old has departed the Power after helping the club to its fifth premiership in a decade.

Bourke, who commuted from Geelong last season, described his return to Kolora-Noorat as "the most enjoyable year of my career".

The 24-year-old said he left with a heavy heart but hinted the door was open for a future return.

"I'd probably lost a bit of my love for the game with the way a few things unfolded (prior to last season)," Bourke said.

"Kolora-Noorat just gave me that spark back and gave me the motivation to give the GFL another go at the age I am.

"I can't thank Walshy (Power coach Ben Walsh) and the other coaching staff enough for welcoming me back.

"You never fully forget what a special place it is and to cap it off it was even sweeter to win a flag."

Bourke will join Portland export Harris Jennings at Leopold Memorial Park next season.

He was confident he could readjust to the demands of Geelong's premier football league.

"I felt like the year before last at Leopold I did have a solid year - I think I finished top-five in their best and fairest," Bourke said.

"I know I can play at that level, so I'll just see how it goes.

"It's a quality standard of footy and it's just about getting used to that level again."

Walsh said the Power "counted themselves lucky" to have had Bourke's services for a season.

"He had a willingness to do whatever he could do for the team," he said.

"Nick would play on anyone - whether it's back pocket, full back, on a wing, wherever.

"That gave us great flexibility and he was able to even go forward for us from a wing and kick two vital goals which really helped us.

"He had a great ability to stand up in big games and that was fantastic for our younger players to see."

Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.