Cowan will leave the region soon to join his vet partner Chloe Groves, who relocated to Newcastle on Tuesday in employment.

The 27-year-old finished on a high, snaring a combined 7-49 in last weekend's finals.

He snared a season-best 5-21 to destroy Wodonga's powerful top order in Saturday's semi and then claimed 2-28 in the preliminary final loss to North.

He finished the season with 34 wickets at 17.5.

"I set myself at the start of the year to get 30 wickets, but my body's been breaking down since Christmas," he said.

Cowan says it's sad to leave the club after arriving around Christmas, 2017.

"I think the people are what make it so good," he said.

"It's the community that comes with it, it's not just about the cricket and winning, of course that helps, but it's a real family club and I think that's what makes it so special."

Cowan's departure means the rejuvenated Patties will start next season without two of their leading wicket-takers after Kane Arendarcikas's decision to step down from first grade.

St Pat's returned to finals after missing the past two campaigns by 0.02 (2016-17) and 1.04 points respectively.

North edged out the Patties by two wickets and now faces Lavington in the grand final re-match.