Crosbie was one of the best young players in the BFNL in 2012 and 2013 and earned his way on to the Bendigo Gold VFL list.

He's spent the past few years playing in the AFL Queensland competition, but has moved back to Victoria and will play alongside younger brother Trent at Gisborne should the BFNL season make a belated start this year.

"Lachy is as fit as a fiddle and looks really good,'' Gisborne coach Rob Waters said.

"There was a whisper last year he was going to come back, but he is back now and we're very happy to have him at the club."

Crosbie was second best for Gisborne in the club's narrow grand final loss to Golden Square in 2012.

His running ability and kicking skills were his greatest strengths in his first stint with the Bulldogs.

"Lachy could play a few spots for us, which is great,'' Waters said.

"I see him being part of our midfield rotations and rolling across half-forward.

"He seems like he has a really god footy brain, which helps, and he's really committed to his footy."

Read more: BFNL round eight rewind - Gisborne v Golden Square

Last week Crosbie joined his Gisborne team-mates for the club's first two official training sessions since the season was stopped in March because of COVID-19 restrictions.

Waters, who is in first year in charge of Gisborne, said he was encouraged by what he saw on the training track.

"It was good to get the boys out there touching the footy again,'' Waters said.

"The boys enjoyed being around each other and the staff around the club really enjoyed being back as well.

"We ticked all the boxes for the COVID-19 regulations, which was good.

"The under-18s trained on Saturday and we had 20-odd players on the training track which is a good sign.

"Hopefully, we get some good news in the next few weeks and we can get the season started."

Waters said the Bulldogs would take a "common sense" approach to training.

"At this stage we'll keep training at twice a week and then reassess,'' he said.

"The boys have had their own individual training programs to do through all the lockdown period, so the fitness levels are pretty good.

"If we get the green light to start the season then we'll look at stepping training up a notch then."

In more positive news for Gisborne, Waters said talented young key position players Jack Scanlon and Jaidyn Owen were progressing well after serious injuries ruined the end of their 2019 seasons.

Scanlon (shoulder) and Owen (knee) both would have missed the first few rounds of this year had the season started on time.

"We're just building them up slowly, but they're both really keen to get going,'' Waters said.

Read more: Catch up on all the latest local footy news

Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser'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 central Victoria.