Folkes left the club in 2020 for Great Western in the Mininera league.

But the pull of his home club was too strong for the 2019 best and fairest winner.

Folkes said he was excited to return to his home club.

"The Swifts has a huge family environment, including my family and I have a lot of friends at the club so it made the decision easy," he said.

"In terms of football - I'm looking forward to getting back into the teal, black and white."

Folkes joined Great Western in 2020, when the season didn't go ahead and played in 2021. He said he enjoyed his time playing football with a group of players he grew up with and went to school with.

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"Playing under a new coach was a highlight as well," he said.

"Learning new things and how someone else does something from their point of view was interesting.

"It's a different style of football out at Mininera.

"I feel refreshed though coming back to the Swifts and the District league and ready to get started in preparing for next year."

Folkes made the move across to the Mininera league with his brother Damon, someone he's played all his senior football with. With uncertainty surrounding where Damon will be playing in 2022, Ryan said it would be different to run out onto the ground without him.

"It will be hard and different not looking for him down in the forward line," he said.

"I will miss him but at the end of the day it's not everything I suppose."

Folkes is eager to fit back into his number 21 - although with a new look as the long dreadlocks are gone.

"It's exciting for the outlook of running around with the team - many who I've played with before but also some new young talent," he said.

"Obviously it's exciting to play on grounds I feel more comfortable with."

When Folkes left the club after the 2019 season, he would have been on the younger side of the team in terms of ages.

Upon his return, he will now be one of the more experienced players across the mid-field.

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"I'm looking forward to working with some of the younger players that will be with me in the future of the Baggies," he said.

"Being able to help point them in the right direction and hopefully help Hargreaves (Brett) out is something I'm looking forward to as well.

"I'm looking forward to sharing my insight into what I've learnt and how I've developed and what I've seen since my time away."

Talking to Folkes about the role he will play on the ground there was no backtracking when asked if he was looking forward to playing alongside 2021 Dellar medalist Scott Carey once again.

Folkes said he was looking forward to playing his role and taking some of the pressure off Carey whilst the Baggies young group continues to develop.

"Scott's a terrific footballer and knows what he's doing and it will be good to fit right back into the mix and help give him a chop out every now and then," he said.

"It's all about playing your part and if I do my part and he does his, it will make it easier on one another."

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