Tom Watson, brother of new assistant coach Dan, and Sam Giblett will both travel to wear the red and black for the Bombers in the Hampden league in season 2019. 

Watson, 25, who works as a primary school teacher in Ballarat, said his family were pivotal in his decision to return to Cobden Recreation Reserve after five years playing with BFL club Redan. 

“The main decision was to play with Dan and obviously my family is back there and it’s easy to see my parents and the rest of my family,” the midfielder said. 

“Obviously I have played footy there before and I played most of my junior footy there. I last played six or seven years ago.”

Watson is eager to put a string of injuries behind him, including a reconstructed hand and hamstring trouble, to build a strong 2019 season. 

Giblett, who will travel from Geelong each week to play, last played for the Bombers in 2017 after playing with Simpson in the Colac league in 2018.

Cobden coach Adam Courtney said he was excited to have the pair join recent recruits Grady Rooke and Ned Dalziel. 

“Tom is a good inside midfielder and will add a lot of experience to our group and it’s valuable to have him back,” the first-year coach said.

“Sam is really keen to come back to the club and push his football forward. He has a really good skill set, he is really mobile and has a really good overhead mark.”