Cummings, widely regarded as one of the best players in the Central Highlands competition in recent years, has signed with his new side and informed the Bulldogs of his decision to leave.

A multiple CHFL team of the year member who has been close to winning the league’s Geoff Taylor Medal, Cummings joins former Daylesford teammate and premiership player Trent Nesbitt at Casterton-Sandhurst.

Nesbitt and Cummings played together in the Bulldogs’ 2007 and 2012 grand final victories.

Cummings started with Daylesford as a junior, and after time spent away from the club, returned in 2010. Since then, he played more than 80 senior games with the Bulldogs.

His departure follows news that top onballer Jordan Alexander has requested a clearance to Lake Wendouree.

In some positive news for the club, the Bulldogs have been able to lure three key additions to the squad for senior coach Marcus Goonan’s second year in charge.

Luke Carland, Ricky Costanzo and Jake Nicholson are confirmed signings at Daylesford for the 2017 campaign.

Carland arrives at the kennel as a key forward option from Richmond Central, where he has previously played under Goonan.

Goonan expects midfielder Costanzo to cover the loss of some onball talent in the off-season after also securing his services from the Centrals.

Nicholson, another former player with the Centrals, has been recruited from Avoca, where he won its senior best and fairest in 2015.

“Our recruitment has been very targeted and deliberate,” Goonan said.

“Being a young side, at times last year we lacked voice. We’re happy that our focused recruiting this year has resulted in the addition of some guys who are happy to marshal the troops on each line.”

Goonan took the Bulldogs back to the CHFL finals last season.