Lavaka returns to the area after 12 years away which included stints at NRL clubs Penrith, Parramatta and Manly but feels the time is right to return to where it all began.

"It is good to be back at a club with a lot of history," he said.

"It is exciting, especially to be alongside my brother Andrew. It has always been a dream of mine.

"You don't often get the opportunity to coach or play alongside your brother. Especially with the big age difference between me and Andrew. He has eight years on me, and I have been away from Griffith for the last 12 years.

"To come back and be alongside my brother and get an opportunity to run out with him is definitely something I am looking forward to."

The Black and Whites finished seventh last season and are putting in the hard yards early so they can make their way back up into the finals positions.

"I guess that will be one of our main priorities," he said.

"We just want to play consistent football, and I believe that if we put in the hard yards at training, I'm sure we will see results.

"It's the start of pre-season and everyone is getting back into the flow and getting back into training."

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The work off the field has been paying off as well with the Black and Whites welcoming onboard EISS who will sponsor the club from under 6s to first grade.

"Chris Velis, our secretary, has done a hell of a job and tied up a major national company to sponsor us," club president Craig O'Keefe said.

"Chris has done a lot of hard work chasing sponsors, and this will help us celebrate our 100th year."

The club is gearing up for a big weekend from August 7-9 with two functions at the Griffith Leagues Club on the Friday and Saturday night while there will be a round of golf on Saturday morning.

The weekend will close out with a gala day at Solar Mad Stadium when the Black and Whites are set to take on the Yenda Blueheelers.

"Some people were suggesting we should play Waratahs because of the rivalry, but when we looked back we thought it was more fitting to play Yenda," he said.

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