Daylesford’s A-grade coach is back for 2027, giving the CHNL benchmark side a big boost as it works to keep its all-star core together.
The Daylesford Bulldogs have landed their most encouraging off-season news yet: Alexia McConnell will lead the club again in 2027.
McConnell took the reins this year and steered the Dogs into a fourth straight grand final. The 2024 and 2025 premiers were undone on the biggest stage by Hepburn.
The VNL-experienced coach will be ready to go next season, according to club president Carly Luke. First, though, comes some well-earned rest for everyone involved.
“We knew she was going around again, but it’s been a big couple of years and this was another big season, so everyone’s a bit buggered,” Luke said.
“There are plenty more announcements to come as well, but everybody’s been exhausted.”
Built to last
Luke says McConnell has been in her sights as a long-term leader from the start.
“Alexia was always going to be my successor, and the idea was she’d continue to develop the program at least more than one or two years.
“We plan on having her around as long as she can be. Getting Chelsea Imanisani (McConnell’s daughter) on board was a major coup for us, and it shows how much she’s embedded herself over a few years.
“For Alexia to continue working with us as well, I’m very proud. Even though we lost, everyone is so proud and keen to go again.”
Still the team to beat
It has been a while since the red, white and blue went into an off-season without a target on their backs. The Dogs are in the midst of their most successful era at A-grade level, and several stars earned places in the league’s team of the season. Luke says 2026 won’t be remembered as a failure.
“We’ve done all this hard work over the five years I’ve been at the club, and of course, what others did in time before that,” she said.
“I’m privileged to have had some of that success and brought people who have gone on to be coaches or on our committee.
“From a club perspective, it’s nice to have the hard work and dedication recognised in that manner with the team of the year as well.
“It’s hard to crack through sometimes, so we’re just really proud that more of ours were recognised there.”
Daylesford finished second in the regular season with a 15-1 record, trailing only the flag-winning Burras on percentage.
This article featured in the Ballarat Courier.
