Cartledge, who was part of the Lakers’ breakthrough 2010 Ballarat Football League flag, is one of a handful of key inclusions for the Towners.

Dunnstown struggled to record just four wins in a tough campaign last year.

Cartledge joins the Towners after a season with Edenhope-Apsley in the Horsham District competition.

His inclusion will be  a major boost to the midfield department.

Cartledge will focus most of his efforts on player development.

Arriving alongside Cartledge at Dunnstown is forward Riley Browne, from Lexton, ex-Newlyn tall Tim Buby and former Buninyong utility Rob Dyer.

Past Lakers onballer Andrew Cartledge is also on board, as is former Lexton Plains best and fairest Karl Begbie, who returns to the club after a few stints elsewhere. 

Taylor said he hoped the new pick-ups, which add to that of former Sebastopol vice-captain Sam Jenkins, could help the Towners win the close games in 2014.

“It’s very competitive,” Taylor said.

“It’s a good league and everyone is improving.

“There’s a stack of winnable games and a stack of losable games and we’ve got to be on the right side of the ledger and we weren’t last year.

“I feel the guys we have picked up will help us be better in those tighter games.”

Taylor, who will also be assisted by Dunnstown senior premiership coach Mark Keating, said he expected to have plenty of depth in the senior ranks.

A total of 14 youngsters will be graduating from the under-17.5s to add to the selection options.

Dunnstown opens its season with a road trip to take on Beaufort on April 5.

tim.oconnor@fairfaxmedia.com.au