The Blues could lay claim to one of the most potents attacks in south-west football with Darren Ewing, Sam Cowling and Travis Graham all roaming inside 50.

Ewing has returned to the Hampden league after a successful NEAFL career with NT Thunder and Graham is back at the Blues following stints at Stawell and Nirranda.

The pair will ease the pressure on Cowling as the Blues strive to better their 2018 elimination final finish this season.

All three were named for Warrnambool's Hampden league season-opener against Cobden at Reid Oval on Saturday.

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Coach Matt O'Brien conceded the trio would take time to form a cohesive unit but is bullish about their capabilities.

"Throw in Luke Cody as well," he said of their attacking prowess.

"It will take a little while for everyone to work out who is going where.

"It adds another string to our bow."

O'Brien said each forward brought a different dynamic to the Blues' attack.

Ewing will play at full-forward and Cowling at centre half-forward with Graham to slot in alongside them.

"Travis is such a beautiful kick and brings others into the game," the second-year coach said.

"Darren's strength, one on one, is his strength. He protects the ball drop and gets to it.

"He's extremely agile for someone so strong through the hips and he turns very quickly.

"He has amazing recovery. He's an awkward match-up because he's quite explosive over 30 metres."

Warrnambool also welcomes back midfielder Damien McCorkell and has named recruits Alex Shippard and Sam Wilson in defence.

The Blues will be without key defender Tim O'Keeffe (hamstring) and utility Ben Fleming (ankle).

O'Brien said McCorkell was a handy addition.

"Both he and Travis provide good voice and direction," he said.

"It helps with rotations. He is a mature, heavy body and he is a ball-getter and very creative with it."

Warrnambool faces a depleted Cobden outfit.

The Bombers will be without 10 of their best 21 through injury, with new coach Adam Courtney picking five new faces including teenage trop Lachie Gass, Josh Worboys and Ben Berry for their first senior games in red and black.

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