The 41-year-old opening batsman left Trevallyn at the end of last season after 17 years with the club because of a desire to take on a coaching role.

"I started playing at Trevallyn in 1996-97 and played 300 games," Fitz said.

"I played in five A-grade premierships and one A reserve.

"We had a very successful run in the late '90s and early 2000s and I was lucky enough to play in a very good side with a lot of great cricketers."

Fitz said he still had a lot of mates at Trevallyn including Matty Cocker with whom he went to primary and high school and who is still one of his best friends and workmates.

"The decision I made to leave was an extremely difficult one which I agonised over and Matty was one of the reasons for that because we'd played so much together and been through so much," he said.

"But I got a great offer from the Diggers to coach, which is something I always wanted to do and realised if I didn't do it now I never would."

Fitz said playing at Trevallyn would be like coming home to a place where he had probably batted 200 times before.

"It will be weird batting and seeing the Trevallyn guys in the field around me.

"No doubt I will get a few comments and cop a bit but I've got a bit to come back with so that will alright and I'm sure it will all be good-natured."

Fitz scored four A-grade centuries while playing with Trevallyn with a highest score of 156 not out against Normanstone in 1997-98.

"I made about 6500 runs, and without being a big head, I would probably rank in the top 10 for runs and catches for the club and probably the top 15 for games played.

"But I'm enjoying the challenge at Diggers, meeting a lot of new people and I'm thoroughly enjoying the role."