AN INSIDE midfielder headlines three returning faces to Cobden as the Hampden league club vies to strengthen its links to community.
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Johno Benallack has returned to Bomberland after a one-year stint at Nirranda and is expected to shore up Cobden's engine room.
Former Bombers juniors Ryan Robbins and Michael Pegg have also returned to their roots after time at Kolora-Noorat and Caramut respectively.
Bombers mentor Adam Courtney expected Benallack's character and midfield skill to be a valuable asset.
"He's been very dedicated to his cricket over the last couple of years," he said.
"He's trained a couple of times so far. He's a very skilled footballer, an inside midfielder who is very good with his hands.
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"We'll see how he goes (before looking at roles)."
Courtney said getting former juniors back to the club was of high importance. He said links to Cobden Cricket Club - of which Benallack is captain - were also supported.
"I think we had about half a dozen footballers play a bit more cricket through the summer," he said.
"We want them to remain active over the summer so that's great. We want to keep bettering that relationship.
"It's important for us to have Cobden people and juniors playing at Cobden."
Cobden's three-fixture pre-season campaign will begin against Bellarine Peninsula-based club Drysdale this weekend. The Bombers face North Warrnambool Eagles in round one.
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