Two more proven premiership performers will be part of East Wagga-Kooringal's 2021 campaign after the Hawks welcomed Luke Cuthbert home to Gumly and opened their arms for ex-Coolamon forward Ben Cadzow.
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EWK coach Matt Hard was thrilled to confirm the two arrivals.
Cuthbert was part of the club's drought-breaking premiership of 2016 when just a teenager. He also represented the Farrer League senior team three times.
He spent the last two seasons with Turvey Park in the Riverina League and AFL Riverina Championship but is ready to head home to the club he first played with as a four-year-old.
"He's a premiership player, he's from an East Wagga family and we're looking forward to him being back," Hard said.
"Luke's gone and tried his hand at Turvey Park and he's very experienced for his age.
"I'm looking forward to having him in our midfield but he can also play off half-back or he can play up forward. He gives us plenty of options.
"I see him as that bigger body going through the midfield which will be valuable for us."
Cuthbert, 21, made his senior debut in 2015. The same year, he was their best player in the grand final loss to The Rock-Yerong Creek.
He had already played 55 senior games before his move to Turvey Park at the age of 19. There, he was in the Bulldogs' best in five of his 10 games in 2019.
Cadzow, meanwhile, was part of Coolamon's Riverina League premiership team of 2013.
It was the last of his three years playing under Matt Hard's coaching at the Hoppers.
After seven seasons away, the Queenslander returns to the region and will link with Hard again.
"Ben is very experienced. I had a bit to do with him at Coolamon," Hard said.
"He's a key forward, he's a bigger body and he'll be very valuable for us.'
Cadzow, 31, has been playing with Maroochydore, on the Sunshine Coast, in the Queensland AFL competition.
He made quite an impression at Coolamon in 2011. Injury cost him most of 2012 however he served as an assistant coach before returning for the back end of 2013, including the grand final win against Collingullie.
After the departure of Chris Ladhams at the end of 2019, his experience and ability up forward will be a big asset.
The Hawks are also hoping to see Dan McCarthy in action in 2021. One of their key recruits for 2020, he suffered a serious knee injury in the pre-season.
Hard said they hope to have the former Upper Murray league best-and-fairest from the middle of the season pending his recovery from a knee reconstruction.
