The Bulldogs recruitment drive continues to go from strength to strength with Hoey set to return after four years away from Maher Oval.

Hoey spent the past three seasons at Hume League club Lockhart, where he was the club’s captain for the past two years.

Hoey, a Turvey Park junior, coached the Bulldogs in his last season at Maher Oval in 2012 and is looking forward to returning.

“I’ve been (at Lockhart) three years and the travel was definitely starting to take its toll,” Hoey explained.

“Just the chance of being around Turvey again, too, I’ve been stuck on 96 games for a little while. They’ve said they will crack the banner out for me come round four so I’m looking forward to it.”

Hoey can play at either end of the ground and adds further versatility to the Bulldogs’ line-up.

His return adds to a impressive list of recruits at Turvey Park that includes new coach Mitch Sykes, Jeremy Sykes, Andrew Emery, Josh Ashcroft, Clint Shields, Kodie O’Malley, Drew Campton and Truman Carroll.

Hoey likes what he sees happening at Turvey Park.

“It’s a chance to see some success at Turvey Park and hopefully contribute to it, that’s the driving force,” he said.

“It’s a great club to be involved with and I’m right behind Mitch (Sykes).”

Hoey now adds to a fair-sized departure list from Lockhart but the 29-year-old said it was not an easy decision to leave.

“Absolutely, I had a great time at Lockhart and had three fantastic years there,” he said.

“Like every footy club, once you get involved, you find out how good they are.”

Turvey Park captain-coach Mitch Sykes plans to slot Hoey into the Bulldogs’ forward line.

“The best thing about Johnny is that he leads up and at the ball carrier. He competes really hard and just his leadership,” Sykes said.

“It’s good to have him back.”