A highly-rated midfielder-forward - Liam Loubey - headlines the Bombers' latest swoop for players.

Loubey, 22, has crossed from Geelong Football League powerhouse Colac in search of more senior opportunities.

Cobden mentor Adam Courtney said Loubey, as well as fellow recruits Tom Fischer and Sean Battistello, would add depth to the Hampden league club's ranks.

"We really targeted a couple of midfielders and we also want to bring some taller players," he said.

"One of the main things we're keen to have with recruiting is people with good character and good work ethics.

"We really want to make sure we're bringing in good people who will adapt well to the culture and the three we've signed fit that well."

Courtney worked with Loubey in his three-season stint at Colac, while friendships helped secure Battistello's signature.

Geelong-based Fischer suited up once for Cobden's reserves last year through his friendship with Bomber Lachie Davis. A knee injury, however, put the rest of his season on ice.

Courtney, a second-year coach, said his players were already "15 to 20 per cent" fitter than last season.

"Pre-season has been fantastic. The players had an individual 10-week program before Christmas to do in their own time," he told The Standard.

READ MORE:

"We've really had a focus on fitness. Our pre-season was OK last year but we know we need to step it up to be able to compete for longer periods in games.

"The boys are putting in that hard work on the track and we have a solid 10-week period until we get into our practice matches."

Cobden is also vying to improve its defensive structures ahead of round one.

"A lot of the improvement will come from fitness but we want to continue developing our brand of footy," he said.

"Our players have had a really strong introduction to the offensive side of footy and we want to just keep developing the defensive side of things.

"At any level of sport, you've got to have a strong defensive side and we need to have that when things aren't going our way."

Courtney said the club was working to lock in more recruits.

"Hopefully we can announce something over the weekend. It's looking pretty exciting for us," he said.

Chris Paatsch is Cobden's only confirmed departure to date.

Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.