Jacob Coxall has decided to leave his home club of Buninyong to join Lake Wendouree for the 2019 season.

The departure of the 2017 CHFL rookie of the year is a huge blow to the Bombers, but a quality pick-up for the Lakers, which recently added another young gun in Scott Carlin.

Carlin was recruited to the club after two seasons in the TAC Cup with the Greater Western Victoria Rebels, which also saw him represent Vic Country. Carlin has also played for Werribee in the VFL.

A talented junior, Coxall quickly developed into a top-line midfielder for Buninyong’s senior side. He was eligible to play under-18s in 2017, but played mostly senior football for the Bombers.

In 2018, Coxall stepped full time into the senior team and was one of the club’s first-choice onballers. He played 18 games last season for 10 appearances in the best, including during the Bombers’ grand final defeat at the hands of Beaufort.

Coxall boosts a Lake Wendouree side that will be led by senior coach Dale Power for the second-straight season.

Power took over at the helm ahead of the 2018 campaign, which saw the Lakers reach an elimination final before bowing out at the hands of Melton.

Coxall’s departure follows news of a handful of key recruits for Buninyong, which will be coached by Shaun O’Loughlin for the first time next year.

Among the new faces is former Gordon and Clunes player Josh Lee and ex-Moe utility James Heslop. That pair joins key position player Caius Barrenger, who has gained a clearance from Rokewood-Corindhap after sitting last season on the sidelines due to a contract dispute.