Angus Uwland, Jake Dowell sign at Cobden and Camperdown for 2024 HFNL season

Reigning semi-finalist Cobden welcomes back Angus Uwland, who last played for the Bombers in 2018, while Jake Dowell re-joins Camperdown after seven years away.

Uwland, an experienced midfielder with more than 100 HFNL senior appearances to his name, spent the 2019 season as an assistant coach at Alvie before a three-year stint at Colac Tigers from 2021 to 2023, part of which saw him play alongside good friend and Bombers coach Brody Mahoney.

Mahoney was thrilled to have a player of Uwland's calibre commit to Cobden.

"A quality player and a quality bloke," Mahoney said of Uwland. "He's a good leader and very skilled player to have back in our side."

Mahoney said Uwland, who lives in Colac, had enjoyed the standard of football at the Tigers but was always keen to return to Cobden at some stage.

"It's his junior club, all his mates and cricket mates and family friends are all around," Mahoney said. "So he's pretty excited to be back."

Mahoney said Uwland's leadership qualities would be invaluable for the Bombers.

"He's had that coaching experience and that next step up of footy with the GFL being the standard that it is," he said. "My guess is he likes that type of role, that leadership role without being a captain.

"He likes helping out with development - I know he had a development role this year with the Tigers.

"He won't officially being doing something like that with us, but he's one of those people, he'll be doing it anyway. He's always trying to help other people."

A talented sportsman, Uwland rejoined Cobden Cricket Club last season, culminating in winning the Cricketer of the Year award.

Dowell, meanwhile, is the latest among a host of former players to return to Leura Oval this off-season.

Having last played at the club in 2016, Dowell most recently lined up for Belmont in the Geelong and District Football League in 2023 following a stint at Rokewood-Corindhap in the Central Highlands Football League between 2017 and 2022.

Coach Neville Swayn said Dowell, who has moved from Geelong to Warrnambool in recent months, could play a range of positions.

"I've never coached Jake, but remembering him playing (at Camperdown) he was more of a winger," Swayn said. "But since he's left, he's played a bit of midfield and across half-back.

"I have no doubt he'll come back as a better player.

"We've probably got a bit of versatility, which we've got from a lot of guys who have come back this year."

Swayn also credited Dowell's preparation as a major strength.

"Really good athlete, really looks after his body, he's always really fit," Swayn said. "He'll be a good level-head to have, whether it's down back or through the centre line."

Dowell's signing complements a host of talent returning to Camperdown next season, as the Magpies aim to better their sixth place finish from 2023 under Swayn.

Isaac Stephens, Matthew Field, Billy Arnold and Fraser Lucas are among past players to sign at the Magpies for 2024, with recruits Paddy Baker and Eric Guthrie also joining the club.

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