The Burras' returnee has been influential in his side's unbeaten start to the season, being named in the best twice as Minyip-Murtoa close in on top spot.

It was a fitting welcome back after a long time out of the blue, black and white.

"My last games for them were probably back when I was 18 and playing for the Rebels. Whenever we had a bye I would come back and try and get a game in for the Burras," Mackenzie said.

"But I'm just loving being back at Minyip-Murtoa.

"I enjoy being around all the boys there. It's a good place to be at the moment."

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Mackenzie left his childhood club in 2013 to move to Adelaide to study and had a successful stint in the SANFL, most recently with the Glenelg Football Club.

In his final season with Glenelg last year, Mackenzie was named the reserves best and fairest.

"It was a great standard of football, and it would be up there with one of the top leagues in the country I would have thought," he said.

"It was really good, and definitely a good learning experience."

Mackenzie returned to take on the role of assistant coach, a challenge he was always keen to meet.

"I had always wanted to coach," he said.

"I was more than happy to have a crack at it. I was sort of suggesting it almost that if they were looking for someone, I'd take it on."

John Delahunty played a big role in attracting the gun back to the club, with the new coaching pair sharing a lot of junior football memories.

"I had never done any coaching before, but John's been very good, and it's just been a good challenge for me," Mackenzie said.

"When I was playing with the juniors I had played alongside him and had kind of always looked up to him a bit. He's always been good to me, and we get along really well."

The Burras' next generation impressed in their first three games of the season, under the close eye of the new coaching pair.

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Mackenzie hoped he could continue to play a role in his young teammates' development.

"I still see the development in our kids, and I think we can keep playing some good footy," he said.

"They've been keen and eager to learn, and I've really enjoyed working with them."

Despite the time he spent away from the club, Mackenzie said Minip-Murtoa still felt like home.

"I've been at a few clubs, and the culture is a massive thing, and I think we've got it right here," he said.

"It's a good place to be around, and we have a good time; which it's all about."