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NORTH Bendigo premiership coach Matt Dillon has parted ways with the Bulldogs following four seasons at the helm.

Dillon, who led the Bulldogs to the 2019 Heathcote District league flag, stood down this week and finishes his coaching stint at Atkins Street with 41 wins from 50 games.

"I've made the decision to step down... there were a couple of things that were unearthed that probably indicated it was the right time to finish up," Dillon said on Thursday.

"I've had four years at the club and I'm really proud of the achievements with the playing group and, obviously, the past couple of years through COVID have been really challenging.

"Looking back on the premiership with the playing group was a really special moment and the thing I can reflect back on is there will always be that friendship there with the players, but this is calling time on working with those guys from a coaching point of view."

Following four years coaching Newbridge in the Loddon Valley league, Dillon was appointed coach of North Bendigo in October of 2017.

The Bulldogs were beaten by Leitchville-Gunbower by nine points in the 2018 grand final before bouncing back to beat Colbinabbin by 36 points in the 2019 grand final.

Following the cancelled 2020 season due to the coronavirus pandemic and the departure of half the 2019 premiership team, the Bulldogs defied external expectation to earn a double chance this year, finishing third before the HDFNL finals series was officially called off last week.

"I was really proud of the way the group performed this year after such a big turnover from 2019. Our goal was to earn a double chance and we were able to achieve that," Dillon said.

"There was no great expectation on us to do any damage this year, but from the time we played Lockington (round 9) we had an honest chat and the work-rate and improvement from that point was fantastic.

"It was player-driven after that and they showed they were on-board and playing together, so I was really proud of that along with the premiership."

The Bulldogs ended this season with a 9-3 record from their 12 games, finishing behind minor premier Lockington-Bamawm United (12-0) and Colbinabbin (9-3).

"Matt has been a wonderful person and coach at our club since he took over the reins," Bulldogs president Will Hine said.

"He has a phenomenal record at our club highlighted by the 2019 premiership victory, which was just reward for the club and Matt as a coach.

"We're thankful to Matt for all the work he has put in with the club and wish he and his family all the best for the future.

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