Bandel has taken over the club’s top netball job and isn’t afraid to put finals on the table.

“Obviously we were on the bottom of the ladder (last season) so there’s a lot of work to do, but we’ve also got the greatest opportunity for growth,” he told The Courier.

“I’d love to sneak into the finals - that would be my goal.”

The 48-year-old has a long history in the game, including as a high-level umpire. Bandel spent the early part of last season as coach of Darley’s A-grade team and guided Trentham’s under-17 side to a premiership and perfect campaign in 2017.

Bandel, who will lead A-grade and B-grade teams in 2019, was the main attraction at a meet the coach function in Daylesford last Friday.

Pre-season training is set to commence in December, with Bandel looking to work out his best line-up well ahead of the 2019 campaign getting underway.

“It gives us plenty of time to get the team settled and get people in positions which I believe they are best at… and most importantly combinations,” he said.

After not fielding a side in 2017, Daylesford finished second last on the Central Highlands Netball League A-grade ladder this year, winning just one game. Smythesdale collected the wooden spoon.

Darcie Johns has been named as the Bulldogs’ C-grade coach for 2019.

The new Central Highlands league fixture is set to be ratified later this month.