New coach, new direction, same goal – that’s the message from incoming mentor Jake Rhodes.

“You’ve got to be positive to be competitive,” Rhodes said.

“We want to be finishing as high up as can be and once you get into finals, it’s a different ball game.

“We want to win early games to take the pressure off and to finish as high as possible.”

Premiership coach Darcy Lewis has remained at the club, while the Dogs have also retained spearhead Chris Keilar.

The Dogs also recruited strongly in the tall department, with Herb Barlow crossing from North Warrnambool Eagles and Scott Nicolson arriving from South Warrnambool.

Despite the loss of talented onballers Kurt Smith and Jordan Scott to Hampden club Port Fairy, Dennington pulled of a coup in securing the signature of Tim Sheldon.

Rhodes is also expected to provide senior opportunities to talented youngsters.

Draw

R1: East Warrnambool (A)

R2: Merrivale (H)

R3: BYE

R4: Old Collegians (A)

R5: Allansford (H)

R6: Panmure (A)

R7: South Rovers (A)

R8: Kolora-Noorat (H)

R9: Timboon Demons (H)

R10: Russells Creek (A)

R11: Nirranda (H)

R12: East Warrnambool (H)

R13: Merrivale (A)

R14: Panmure (H)

R15: Old Collegians (H)

R16: Allansford (A)

R17: BYE

R18: Timboon Demons (A)

Arrivals

Tim Sheldon, Herb Barlow (NWE), Scott Nicolson (South Warrnambool)

Departures

Kurt Smith, Jordan Scott (Port Fairy), Hank Schlaghecke (NWE)