Paterson's signing comes as the Two Blues work on retaining their current players, with returning coach Alex Lawder confident their departures will be minimal.

Canberra pair Michael Lovett and Ben Cleaver have re-signed and there are high hopes that Josh Britliff and Sean Ellis will follow suit shortly.

Lawder believes Paterson is a vital addition for Barellan down back.

"Probably strength (he'll bring). He's a big body and he's just got that never-give-up attitude, that's probably what we're most excited about," Lawder said.

"The backline was probably one of our stronger areas but we want to strengthen all our lines."

Paterson and Lawder were Eagles teammates. The full-back has been a key figure in their senior side throughout the last seven seasons. He's been in Narrandera's best 22 times in his last 41 games.

"Adding him will allow us to maybe give Mitch Hawker a chop-out (playing on big forwards), and to give us a few different options, that was part of the reason we wanted to get him on board," Lawder said.

The Two Blues finished seventh this year. They will go in to next season without forward Matt Wells who's travelled out of Canberra for five years, and Melbourne-based ruckman Mitch Gorman, who was only able to play five games this year and is now moving Tasmania.

"We're still on the lookout for a few more guys to fill a few more holes," Lawder said.

Barellan backman Kabe Stockton's big season was recognised on Saturday; when he took out his third best-and-fairest award at the club.

Stockton was ultra consistent and held out Jack Hillman to claim another club honour.

"I can't speak highly enough of him. He's an inspirational leader," Lawder said.

"In my speech announcing him I said that I've played a lot of footy with a lot of really good leaders. I've never met someone so articulate, who just knows what to say.

"He's a calming influence and everyone walks a bit taller with him there. He's a really, really good leader.

"I played him across the wings for a few games too and he polled in those games. When you're not winning games, you've got to try different things to see what works and he was good there."

Barellan finished the year with three wins, above Temora and Coleambally on the ladder, and are intent on continuing their upward trajectory next season.

Lawder himself is confident he'll be right to return to football after his season was cut short by a horrendous shoulder injury.

The coach had his collarbone shattered at Temora in late July. He believes if it had happened much later in the season, he would be struggling to get back, given the Canberra lockdown him seeing his physiotherapist for months.

"I did a good job on it, that's for sure," Lawder said.

"It's all muscle work now. I need to get some strength back in there and get all the movement back. Even putting a jacket or shirt on is still hard.

"I've got a 150mm plate and 11 screws in there all holding it together. It'll never be back to what it was. But as a backman, I only need to be able to spoil, haha."

Lawder said the club's presentation night was an ideal finish to the year and a launching pad for next season.

"It was a really, really good night, and good to see everyone."

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