Just about the only thing Jono Van Veen hasn't done in his rugby league career is make a comeback … until now.

Following his retirement alongside brother Brendan at the end of 2017, Jono Van Veen has been training with Workies in the lead-up to the 2019 Group 10 season and, if you ask coach Graeme Osborne, brings a huge competitive streak to every session he attends.

Van Veen's potential return would be a massive bonus for the Lithgow club, one that's completed a "hectic recruitment drive" after finishing eighth in 2018.

Osborne said Jack Sullivan, Tui Oloapu, Josh Howarth, Nick Bender and Chris Rhodes head their new and returning stocks this winter and with no travelling players and depth there's no reason Workies won't push for a top three spot in 2019.

LISTEN: Hear what Workies coach Graeme Osborne and lock Andrew Bain had to say about Lithgow in the lead-up to the Group 10 season kick-off:

"There's a lot more interest there," Osborne said ahead of this season on the Get 'Em Onside Podcast.

He said training intensity was the highest it's been since the club made the 2015 grand final, and Van Veen was part of the reason.

"He's been down to a couple of training runs and I think he's just keen to see how his body pulls up after a year off," Osborne added.

"He's that much of a competitor that you don't have to give him any goals he's such a competitor that's he's got it in his head, he just wants to beat the opposition, the whole lot of them.

"Coaching everyone else around him just to be aware of what he does and just follow him. He's a great leader. If you wanted someone to do a job you know he'd do it for you."

Lock Andrew Bain said it'd be great to play with someone like Van Veen.

"Jono, he's good to play on the back of. He's the ultimate competitor. To have him there would be an extra bonus for us," Bain said.

Osborne said last year's eighth-place finish was a development year for the club and the young guys that were blooded in premier league would be better for the experience this winter.

Bain said competition for spots will be tough and that will help turn the club into a more consistent unit.