But he’s positive about the Saints’ outlook.

“Obviously we’ve got a pretty good list and we’re just trying to rebuild to get back to where Carngham-Linton used to be – at the top of the ladder,” he said.

“We’ve got a few hurdles and a long way to go, but that’s our goal anyway.”

Braekmans steps up from his assistant role to Glenn Treacy, who vacated the helm at the end of the 2015 season.

That was a campaign with few highs for the Saints, which struggled to just two wins over former Lexton Plains rivals Smythesdale and Skipton.

Braekmans’ appointment comes after three years with the club and leaves just the Emus without a coach in the Central Highlands competition.

The key forward, who will serve as a playing coach, was hampered by injury last year and only managed 15 goals, but booted 39 in a strong 2014 season.

“I want to take the game on. We’ve got nothing to lose,” Braekmans, who has played the majority of his senior football at the Ballarat Swans, where he served as reserves coach for two years, said.

“I’m a nothing-to-lose sort of a coach at the minute because really, we don’t.

“Obviously, we are the real underdog.”

Braekmans hoped a key strength to his coaching style would be his leadership qualities, both on and off the field.

Carngham-Linton president Sam Richardson said the club was “very pleased” with the appointment of the 34-year-old.

“He has a good rapport with all players and members of the club,” Richardson said.

“We will try to build the best young list we can around him with a view to building up to success over a 2-3 year period.”

Richardson said pre-season training had commenced, with good numbers already on the track.

Carngham-Linton is still chasing its first finals appearance since joining the Central Highlands league in 2011.