A seven-year stint at Canberra came to an end after 2019 and he was all set for a return home when disaster struck in the pre-season last year when he popped his Achilles Tendon.

But in a twist of pandemic-induced fate, it turned out to be a blessing in some way, with Joyce not missing any games and now back to full strength for the start of the 2021 season when the Miners hit the road to face Albury-Wodonga

"To be honest, it means everything to be back and to get to 100 games," he said.

"I've always had a great connection here and after having played the three seasons, it's kind of funny coming back and seeing the same faces around. I never knew it would happen."

Joyce said the injury took a world of patience to get right.

"To be honest, I thought my shoe had popped, and then I realised 'oh no, that's my leg', he said.

"There was immense paid for about 10 seconds, and then nothing, I actually was able to walk off the court even though they'd bought out the wheelchair

"There was one month in a cast and five months in a boot and you can't put any weight on the boot for about four months.

"I had it operated on here in Ballarat by Shaun English, who did a wonderful job, there was a lot of physio done through zoon, then pool work and a few more things. pool work, few things. I started running a couple of months ago.

"They say you won't get your full strength for two years, but I feel about 90 per cent, my speed is still there which I'm thrilled about."

Coach Brendan Joyce said he was thrilled to have Joyce back in the team.

"For me its fantastic to see him come back and play where it all started in the back courts," he said.

"He was here long before I got here, for him to notch up 100 games with the Miners after five years in the NBL, 6-7 years in Canberra, from my point of view, it's great to see him come home."

The Miners had a solid pre-season win against Mount Gambier where they finished the game off strongly after losing the lead in the fourth quarter

Daniel Joyce said the opening round clash with Albury-Wodonga would throw up some unknowns.

"The team we've got now is pretty good," he sad. "William Hickey and Matt Kenyon I see having big years, then we've got Deng Acouth who's had some NBL experience and I personally think he's one of the best big men in the competition.

"The first round road trip I see it as a time to gel, Albury-Wodonga are always a strong opponent, so it will be a good test to see how we are going early in the season."

The Miners clash with Albury-Wodonga Bandits is at Lauren Jackson Sports Centre from 8pm on Saturday. The Miners hit the road again in round two to meet North West Tasmania.