TIM O'CONNOR: The return of Michael Cummings is huge for the Bulldogs, but some other key departures will make it tough for the senior side to compete against top-end rivals. Should win a handful of matches, but finals looks a stretch.

James Evans 4

Cameron Ralph 4

Zac Tisdale 4

Emlyn Nettleton 4

Sam Winnard 4

Sebastian Walsh 3

Michael Cummings 3

Joel Cummings 1

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It was less than 10 years ago that the Bulldogs won their third premiership from a stretch of six-straight Central Highlands Football League grand final appearances.

With stars aplenty and a winning culture, there seemed to be no slowing up for the spa country powerhouse.

But the glory days at Daylesford seem a lifetime ago right now.

Season 2019 was another tough one on-field for the Bulldogs, which managed just two wins from the 16 rounds for a 15th-placed finish on the ladder.

The return was identical to the previous campaign and it truly felt like much of the same from coach Zac Tisdale and his men.

Key departures have really hurt during Tisdale's two years at the helm, with the loss of top league onballer Joel Cowan a further blow to a squad devoid of top-end talent.

The signing of past premiership star Michael Cummings was a big boost, but injury yet again limited his output for the team.

A serious leg issue for Seb Walsh was another major blow for the club and saw the versatile midfielder/forward sidelined after round four.

Daylesford managed its two wins in successive weekends, with convincing triumphs against Ballan and Clunes leaving things fairly positive heading into the round six battle with Learmonth.

The Bulldogs lost to the Lakies and then again after the bye to Carngham-Linton before thrashings really started to come thick and fast. Aside from a heartbreaking one-point loss to Bungaree and an 11-point defeat to Dunnstown, the Daylesford boys were largely uncompetitive in the run home.

Among the shining lights in 2019 were Cam Ralph, who returned to the club from overseas and won the best and fairest award, small forward Dylan Muscat and big man Sam Winnard.

It's early days in the pre-season, but things are already starting to look up at Daylesford.

Key on-field recruit Hamish Jarrad has taken the coaching reins and quickly managed to add some quality and experience to the senior side. Most exciting of the recruits made public so far are former Geelong AFL player Josh Cowan and fellow Daylesford premiership winner Trent Nesbitt.