LESS than three weeks out from its season opening clash against Kyneton, Gisborne must find a new coach.
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It follows 2018 season coach Kim Bailey's decision to stand down due to work and family commitments.
Bailey - a former premiership coach at Sunbury - led the Bulldogs to a grand final appearance in her lone season at the helm at Gardiner Reserve.
But this season she has returned to her former role as AFL Goldfields netball manager, which sees her manage three netball leagues.
She is also the coach of Geelong Cougars' Victorian Netball League division one team.
Her loss leaves Gisborne without a coach ahead of its round two clash against the returning Kyneton, which is back in A-grade after a one year hiatus.
The Bulldogs have been fortunate to draw an opening round bye, when the BFNL season swings into action on April 13, granting some extra time in their search.
Bailey said it was disappointing not to be coaching on, especially with the Bulldogs' expected to have a stronger side in 2019, than the one which came within six goals of premiers Sandhurst in last season's overtime grand final loss.
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But with her roles at AFL Goldfields and the Cougars and family commitments taking up more of her time, 'something had to give', according to Bailey.
"When (coaching) starts to interfere with your work and family, you just have to let it go," she said.
"The club has been fantastic and extremely understanding. (President) John Wood has been amazing in understanding family commitments come first.
"I know they will be fine, they have a lot of great people around the club.
"Yes, it is disappointing and I didn't want to do it (resign) - I thought I might have been able to (combine the roles), but once I got back (to AFL Goldfields), it was never going to happen.
"It takes a big effort to run three football-netball leagues. AFL Goldfields is getting bigger and bigger - we have over 5000 netballers that I look after. And it was only after I switched jobs to Netball Victoria last year that I decided to take on Gisborne."
Bailey wished nothing but the best for Gisborne going forward.
"They have a cracker of a team this year - hopefully they can go all the way," she said.
"It's probably one of the best line-ups Gisborne has had in my time, so as you can see it's a life decision.
"They have got the depth and the talent to win it this year and will have a real crack at it this year.
"I'd be putting my money on them, but then again I'm a bit biased."
Gisborne has finished runners-up, third (2017) and fourth (2016) in its last three seasons.
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