Richmond VFL player Garrett McDonagh says it feels "absolutely amazing" to be back at Tigerland.

The 26-year-old has returned to the club ahead of the 2023 season after spending a year on Essendon's AFL list as a mature-age draftee. 

"From the moment I got delisted from Essendon, I knew I wanted to come back," McDonagh said.

"I feel like I'm back at home down here, so it's been great."

The powerful rebounding defender said he had "taken a lot" of experience from his year in the AFL system.

"I was so grateful for the opportunity the Bombers gave me," he said.

"It really gave me an insight into what life is like as an AFL footballer."

Playing under former VFL teammate and now coach Steve Morris was a big drawcard for McDonagh, as Morris enters his second season at the helm.

"Playing my best footy two years ago under 'Moz' in the backline was awesome for me," McDonagh said.

"And now he's coaching so I really wanted to play under him, so it made the transition really easy.

"I think (I'll be playing) across half-back, maybe a little bit on the wing, but half-back is where I got drafted so I feel my best position will be across that backline area."

Re-joining a number of his former VFL teammates was also an exciting factor for McDonagh.

"There's probably 10-15 faces that I originally knew, so that made the transition really easy," he said.

"But it's the new blokes that have really taken me by surprise, coming into this pre-season really hot and ready to go."

McDonagh was impressed by the standards set early in the pre-season.

"The vibe has been absolutely awesome. We've got a really young group and they have just hit the ground running, it's been great," he said.

"I couldn't believe how fit the boys came back before Christmas. They're raring to go and I'm really excited for the 2023 season."