READ MORE – Josh Bowe appointed Eaglehawk coach
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EAGLEHAWK premiership coach Josh Bowe is on the move from Canterbury Park back to Western Australia.
Bowe is just the second departure from the Hawks’ 2018 BFNL premiership team along with Nalder medallist ruckman Jonty Neaves, who is playing in the Essendon District Football League.
Star on-baller Bowe spent the past two seasons coaching Eaglehawk after returning to the Borough in 2017 following a four-year stint in the west.
READ MORE – Bowe basks in Hawks’ flag success at last
Bowe’s replacement as coach, Travis Matheson, confirmed on Saturday his predecessor was heading back to Western Australia with his family.
“When we were putting our list together I guess we were planning for the worst that Bowey would be going back west and he was really up front with us from the word go about where he was at,” Matheson said.
“Given that, we prepared for him not to be here this year, but if he did stay then it was going to be a massive bonus for us.
“In saying that, it’s a big loss from not only a playing perspective, but also a leadership point of view as well.
“He leaves on really good terms with the boys and he got what he wanted to achieve, and that was to coach a flag with his home club.”
Bowe has rejoined the Eaton Boomers – a club he won back-to-back premierships with in WA’s South West Football League in 2013-14.
While Bowe – who had a 35-6 record in his two years as coach – and Neaves are on the move, the reigning premiers have added four new recruits: star midfielder Ryan Gillingham, gun defender Clayton Holmes, athletic big man Richard Tibbett and Jarryd Pertzel, who played three VFL games for Frankston last year.
The Hawks will also get the classy Trent Bacon back after he suffered a season-ending knee injury in round one last year.
Eaglehawk resumed its pre-season training program last Wednesday. The Hawks play rivals Strathfieldsaye in round one.
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