The premiers have landed their first signature of the off-season with Dowdle crossing the river in search of a fresh start after five years at the Saints.

Dowdle coached North Wagga for three of those seasons and stepped aside this year as he concentrated on returning from a knee reconstruction.

The 26-year-old midfielder is looking forward to a new beginning under Tigers premiership coach Shaun Campbell.

“It’s a new start. I loved my time at North Wagga and everything the club done for me was fantastic but the main thing was just a fresh start,” Dowdle said.

“I see Shaun (Campbell) as someone I can learn off and I’m always trying to add to not only my game, but also my coaching.

“Shaun, from the games I saw last year, looks the type of coach I can take something away from being at Wagga Tigers Footy Club and that’s what I’m looking for.”

Dowdle said he will always hold a soft spot for North Wagga.

“They made me who I am today by being able to coach them for three years. It was a massive learning curve in life and footy,” he said.

Campbell is pleased to add Dowdle to his squad after losing some experience early in the off-season.

“He’s just another experienced leader with a heap of coaching experience,” Campbell said.

“He’ll be handy to have in the middle with the kids, that’s the main thing.”