BFNL 2018: Gisborne Bulldogs welcomes new coach Clinton Young

LAST YEAR: 7th – 6-12

GISBORNE moves into year four of its re-build, this time with a new coach at the helm in Clinton Young.

Young – a Hawthorn 2008 premiership player – was an assistant coach to Brad Spear last year, before taking on the senior role.

Importantly for the Bulldogs is they have again stabilised their list, with the only departures being Jack Baker and Tom Cassidy.

However, the arrivals are also minimal – utility Jack James after a stint in the VFL is returning, while the Bulldogs have added Footscray’s Ross Celano as another aligned VFL-player.

​More: Everything you need to know before the start of the BFNL season

Veteran Anthony Belcher, who was a key member of the golden years of the Bulldogs throughout the 2000s, has also signaled his intention to return to the field to add some valuable experience, and Ethan Minns is coming back from a knee injury.

The Bulldogs improved from three wins in 2016 to six last year, but were unable to crack it for the scalp of a team that finished above them.

The Bulldogs will get an indication early of if there are improved signs from last year, with two of their first three games against last year’s grand finalists, Strathfieldsaye and Eaglehawk.

Q: Gisborne won six games last year, but none against teams that finished above it. It must be a goal this season to start claiming some scalps, particularly at home.

Last year we were competitive in a lot of games, but weren't good enough to beat those better teams.

This pre-season we've focused a lot on getting a lot fitter as a team, but also playing better team footy and understanding your role.

With natural improvement in young guys, we're expecting a lot of them to have better seasons and I'm really excited to see what we can deliver.

We really want to challenge those better teams and get a few more wins on the board.

Ross Celano (VFL-aligned), Jack James.

Jack Baker, Tom Cassidy.

Sportsbet flag odds: $10

Player points: 43

Last flag: 2006

R1: v Kangaroo Flat (h)

R2: v Strathfieldsaye (a)

R3: v Eaglehawk (a)

R4: v Kyneton (h)

2017: 7th - 6-12

2016: 9th - 3-15

2015: 6th - 6-12

2014: 3rd - 14-7

2013: 4th - 11-7