A dream to play in a premiership for his home club has lured boom ruckman Lach Howe back to Yarrawonga.
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The 27-year-old has been working as a barrister in Melbourne since last year, with the time constraints of the new role potentially limiting his ability to travel.
But Howe wants in.
"I believe in where the club's at and heading, I realise my football career's not going to last forever and winning a flag at 'Yarra' is something I'd really like to do," he said.
Winning a flag at 'Yarra' is something I'd really like to do.
- Lach Howe
"While the opportunity's there and I've got a belief that the list is in a shape that we could seriously challenge, I thought I'll make it work and head up the highway."
The 200cm Howe didn't play in the Pigeons successive flags in 2012-13, although he did play finals in 2017-18, while splitting his time with Collingwood VFL.
A big-match performer, Howe was the Pigeons' second best in their 2017 preliminary final loss to a rampant Wangaratta and first semi loss, again to the Pies, the following season.
"He's a ripping fellow and a local, which makes a hell of a difference (under the player points system), we're stoked to have him," coach Mark Whiley enthused.
"He's just in that age bracket, that level of experience is what we lacked, and we've got some young talls and he'll be great to pass on that experience."
Howe will work with rising ruck Alex Byrne and also mentor Riley Welsh, who's also returned to the club from Mornington, and provide a strong forward combination with interleague big man Brandon Symes and the emerging Matt Casey.
"While Lach's playing talents alone made him the key target for Pigeons' recruiters, in truth, it is leadership and character that had him atop the wish list," the club announced.
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It's been a strong off-season, also signing ex-best and fairest Logan Morey and Victorian Amateur Harry Haley.
The combination of Whiley, Howe, ex-VFL stars Willie Wheeler and Leigh Masters, plus dual best and fairest Harry Wheeler. should guarantee top three contention.
