TWO-TIME Geelong premiership player Mathew Stokes will be back in a Palmerston Magpies jumper on Sunday, 13 years since he played in the club’s 2001-02 premiership.

Magpie skipper and joint coach Alwyn Davey confirmed 30-year-old Stokes’ return last night.

“I spoke with Matty this week and he told me he’s right to go for our first home game,’’ a delighted Davey told the NT News.

“Stokesy will train with the players on Thursday night and line up for us on Sunday. He tells me his body is right and he’s confident he can run out the game.’’

“Matty’s keen to play in this match, our first home game of the season. It’s a huge boost for the club to have him on board in such an important match.’’

Stokes, a premiership player in 2007 and ‘11 with the Cats in a 189-game career in 10 seasons at the top level that produced 203 goals and a permanent place on the club’s honour board.

But he is not looking beyond Sunday’s clash with an opportunity to revive his career via the AFL Draft looming large.

“That was basically all Matty told me, that he wants to be a part of our first home game and try and do his part in getting a win for the Magpies,’’ Davey said.

“We hope he’ll play a lot of games for us, but the decision is entirely in Matty’s hands.

“All we’re interested in right now is he is coming home to Palmerston and we hope the fans get out to Northline Oval on Sunday and support him.

“I’ve told Matty it’s his decision where he wants to play, but I reckon and on-ball role and occasional runs up forward might be on the cards.

“Plus he’ll help our young blokes out with tips on where to go and that sort of thing. In short we’re rapt to have Stokesy back.’’

In a twist, Davey will miss the reunion with his Magpie premiership teammate after accepting a two-match ban for making front-on contact with Southern Districts opponent Dean Staunton.

“I’d love to be out there with Matty and my brother Aaron in the first time we’ve all played together since 2002, but unfortunately it’s not to be,’’ he said.