Back-to-back WAFL premiers Peel Thunder have pulled off a huge recruiting coup, luring delisted Essendon midfielder Ben Howlett back to the club.

As flagged in The West Australian last month, the Thunder were one of several WAFL clubs interested in the Donnybrook product.

The 29-year-old, who was cut by Essendon after 124 games in eight years, will return to WA after he was unsuccessful in finding another AFL home for 2018.

“Importantly Ben will bring outstanding leadership to our young group and no doubt our young aspiring players will be able to learn greatly from such a highly decorated player,” Thunder coach Cam Shepherd told the club website.

“Having spoken to Ben personally over the last few weeks it is obvious that he is a quality person who is looking to become part of our resurgent club’s ongoing success.”

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Howlett played 61 senior games during his first stint at Peel, winning the club’s 2009 best and fairest before getting his chance on the Bombers’ rookie list as a 21-year-old.

He made his AFL debut in round one the following year and went on to play 117 games of a possible 130 until his ASADA suspension in 2016 as part of the ‘Essendon 34’.

But the durable midfielder could only manage seven senior games this year to go with 10 in the VFL.

Post-season discussions with coach John Worsfold post-season indicated Howlett was “very close” to getting another deal for 2018.

But it became difficult with list spots after a huge trade period for the Bombers, when they acquired Western Bulldogs premiership forward Jake Stringer, Gold Coast speedster Adam Saad and GWS Giant Devon Smith.