Corowa-Rutherglen has turned a part-timer into a full-timer.
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Cody Howard was on Box Hill's list for 2020 and had nominated the O and M's Roos as his second club.
Like everyone outside the AFL, COVID-19 wiped out his hopes last year and when he wasn't able to retain his place on the Hawks' VFL list, he elected to head back north.
"Cody's a ball carrier, he'll get it more as an outside player," Roos' head of football Craig Spencer said.
"Paul Rippingale was our football manager for many years and he's out at CDHBU where Cody last played and he said, 'this guy's one of the best ball carriers in the Hume League'.
"We're excited to have him and he looks extremely fit, he's not a big guy, but he's athletic.
"We're looking for him to add to what we've already recruited, we've picked up a few inside mids and now we've got an outside, running player."
We've picked up a few inside mids and now we've got an outside, running player.
- Craig Spencer on Cody Howard
For a club which won only two games in 2019, it's hard to believe there could be such a buzz for the following season, but the Roos have had a monster off-season, which started last September when they signed former AFL assistant Peter German as coach.
Since then, there's been a host of signings, led by VFL big man Tom Goodwin and ex-Mornington Peninsula Nepean Team of the Year utility Kyle Docherty.
Howard has spent much of his career on the wing, while he moved to half-back at the Power.
"He's had all the training with Box Hill (over the last off-season) and while he didn't get to play there (due to COVID), he's obviously picked up a few things," Spencer added.
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Meanwhile, the club has also welcomed back ex-Glenrowan grand final player Joel Bihun.
"We'd signed him for 2020, but in the meantime he's bought a property on the other side of Wangaratta and he didn't think he'd play for us, but he's keen to play."