James O'Brien has signed on for this year's Royal Hotel Cup in what is a comeback year for the Dubbo player.

The all-rounder says there was one player in particular to thank for him choosing to play for City.

"I had a phone call off a guy I played a lot with, Ed Morrish," O'Brien said.

"He sent me a message a couple months ago, getting in early I suppose, and he asked if I would be keen to have a run in their comp and he told me about how they can have two marquee players in every team.

"It was good enough of him to think of me and ask me, so I thought I've always wanted to see what the comp is like over there. I've played a lot in Dubbo and Mudgee and thought it would be good to see what the Bathurst Orange comp is like."

O'Brien had taken a couple of years off to focus on family life, but when he recently moved from Mudgee to Dubbo, he got the itch to play again and signed on for his former club - Rugby.

Billed as a "genuine all-rounder", O'Brien is hoping he can contribute in any way possible.

"I think I'll slot in alright," he said.

"Being an all-rounder you can fit in anywhere with the bat or the ball depending on how the game situation is going.

"I know a lot of the players already over there and they know me as well. They can see my strengths and slotting me in wherever."

As for the T20 comp itself, he already has some idea of what to expect.

"I've always followed it to some extent, kept an eye on scores and the players coming through," O'Brien added.

"I think it's quite strong and I know a lot of the players from playing Western and some of the younger ones that seem to be coming through are quite good players and it looks like a good level of cricket. I'd say it would be up there with one of the strongest comps in the region."

So how much can we expect to see from the marquee man? According to him, as much as possible.

"I should be available for all the games," he said.

"It's good enough for them to ask me to come on board, I'd like to commit as much as I can. I'll look to help out as much as I can and play all the games that I can."

But with rules allowing two marquee players per side, O'Brien wasn't the only off-season signing for City.

Also coming back into the fray is Mick Curtale who this year is playing for Queanbeyan in the ACT Premier league. He played for City in the T20 comp last year and opened the batting in all four games that he featured.

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