Even though their primary purpose is that of a weapon, when quizzing the average layman about boomerangs, most would recognise these symbols of cultural endurance for their colloquial ability to return to their point of origin.

Apart from playing AFL football, each of the 10 names on this list have at least one thing in common โ€“ they all came back to their original clubs after spending time with another.

Although names like David Cloke and Warwick Capper completed their careers back at their first clubs and within the bounds of the AFL era, we have ruled them ineligible due to their peaks arising prior to 1990.

Like Elvis' love letters in the early sixties, these are the 10 best players that were returned to their senders.

3. Corey McKernan

North Melbourne/Carlton/North Melbourne

From one two-time North Melbourne premier to another, those that marvel at the athletic capabilities of contemporary ruckmen like Nic Naitanui and Brodie Grundy were almost certain to have gawked at the class of Corey McKernan.

After joining the chorus in 1993 from amateur club Westmeadows, McKernan's first season in a North Melbourne guernsey yielded just a single game โ€“ a Round 17 loss to the Saints.

With another pre-season under his belt, the big man hit the ground running in 1994, playing 21 games, kicking 22 goals, and if not for suspension, would have won the Rising Star award.

1996 will always be a year McKernan will remember fondly, as he won a premiership medal, All-Australian honours and the league MVP. However, just as it had two years ago, suspension stymied the ruckman's plans for further accolades, with the then 23-year-old tragically missing out on winning the Brownlow.

Although his spectacular form in blue and white continued, highlighted by his second flag in 1999, McKernan was traded to Carlton ahead of the 2002 season for Mark Porter and picks 14 and 30.

Despite his time at Princes Park only lasted two years, McKernan managed to claim both the club's best and fairest and leading goalkicker award in his debut year in blue.

Following a dip in 2003, the six-foot six star was traded by Denis Pagan once again, this time back to Arden Street in exchange for forward Digby Morell and current Carlton coach, David Teague.