ROD Gladman is making a return to senior coaching ranks at Illabarook in the Central Highlands Football League.This will be Gladman’s fourth coaching stint in the CHFL.He had three years in charge of Hepburn (1995-97), five at Creswick (2000-2004) and two at Gordon (2005-06).Coaching was not on Gladman’s radar until approached by Illabarook.He admitted to being impressed by the Bulldogs in the interview process. “Once it’s in the blood...,” he said.Gladman has no illusions about the task he is facing over the next two years.It is going to be tough, but he is looking forward to the task.“I’ve never been one to walk away from a challenge. I love a challenge,” he said.Illabarook finished on the bottom of the CHFL ladder this year — it’s first season in the competition after the demise of the Lexton Plains Football League — with just one win.Gladman believes the Bulldogs might have been overawed by the move into a bigger and much tougher league.He said his experience in the CHFL, knowing what it took to be successful in this competition, would hopefully help Illabarook become more competitive.Gladman, who replaces Clint Aspland, said his major focuses would be lifting the level of professionalism, getting players “super fit” and make them hungry for success.“I have no idea of the talent (on the list), but they’ll be the hungriest.”Illabarook football director Jim Boag said the Bulldogs were excited to have secured a coach with the football pedigree of Gladman.“He’s going to bring a lot to the club.”Boag said now that Gladman was in place, recruiting would get under way in earnest.He said attracting an assistant coach was at the top of the list.“We’re looking for someone who wants to get into coaching and learn what it’s allIl about.”Gladman, 43, was described as “mercurial” at the height of his playing days at Ballarat Football League power East Ballarat, where he was a three-time premiership player in the late 1980s and early 1990s.He played one VFL/AFL games with St Kilda in 1987 and was later picked up by Collingwood in a pre-season draft. Gladman capped off a 100-game plus career with East Ballarat by taking out the best and fairest in 1998.Illabarook will have its first training run and a meet the coach session at Smythesdale on Sunday, November 27.Follow @DavidBrehaut