The Warrack Eagles are hoping over 100 games of Hampden league experience will invigorate its young playing group.
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Jake O'Donnell will end time away from football to join the Eagles for the 2021 Wimmera Football League season.
O'Donnell played more than 100 senior games for Warrnambool in the Hampden league, where he won two premierships.
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The 26-year-old left his beloved Blues for a couple of seasons with Learmonth, in the Central Highlands league, before opting to spend some time out of the game.
Warrack Eagles president Zane Jess said a close connection within the club motivated O'Donnell to pull on the boots again.
"Jacob Sobey, who played a couple of games for us in 2019, is coming back to play again and he is (Jake's) best mate," Jess said.
"We actually got Jake on board last year, but obviously with COVID, we didn't get to see him play.
"So he's committed to coming back, which is good, and he's going to travel from Melbourne with Jacob Sobey."
O'Donnell is expected to operate along the half-forward line and rotate through the midfield.
The Eagles have managed to hold on to most of their 2020 recruits, though Donald pair Daniel Pearce and Samuel Griffiths have opted to return to the North Central Football League.
Jess said the club was uncertain whether star midfielder Nick Peters would return for the 2021 season.
Peters committed to the Eagles for 2020, but the Toohey medallist's future will depend on work obligations.
Jess was hopeful a few new faces would join the club in the coming weeks as well.
"We're still hoping to pick up a couple more players, but at the moment we'll be a very young side," Jess said.
"I think it will be good for their development and an exciting time for these young kids."
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Zach Holmes will return as coach after having his first season derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Holmes won two premierships with the Horsham Demons in 2005 and 2006 and returned to the Wimmera league after 11 seasons with Birchip-Watchem.
"Everything has been going really well. There are a few numbers on the track, and a lot of younger ones which is good," Jess said.
"Everyone is on board with Zach. The young kids are behind him and the older blokes are right behind him as well. He's itching to go."
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