Jonathan Brown wants the Bottle Greens to become the strongest interleague side in country Victoria.
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The Hampden league is currently ranked eighth in the AFL Victoria Community Championships after knocking off Bendigo by nine points in 2018.
But Brown, in his third year at the helm, wants to take them further.
And he has the perfect opportunity when the Hampden league plays Ballarat, ranked ninth, at Mars Stadium on May 18.
"I genuinely believe we can challenge the best league in the state," the triple AFL premiership player said.
"We've been very proud of the boys the last two years, but Ballarat is a step up again, especially on their home turf.
"So beating them would mean a lot, that's for sure,"
Brown's initial 45-man squad has 22 new faces, including boom recruits Billie Smedts (North Warrnambool Eagles), Tom Couch (Koroit) and Darren Ewing (Warrnambool).
The squad has a few injury concerns with several Koroit players, including Brett Harrington, in doubt.
But Brown poured cold water on Camperdown star Fraser Lucas' two-week suspension causing him any selection grief.
"He was one of my leaders in the backline last year so I'm looking forward to his involvement again along with Jack Williams," the mentor said.
And while the group only has two training sessions, Brown will take them on a bonding trip to watch Carlton host North Melbourne on Sunday.
"I'm excited, because we've got some serious talent at our disposal," he said.
"Given we're so far from Melbourne it can be challenging for the league to be recognised or attract players down this way, but I'm very proud of the standard of football here - it's a strong breeding ground as well."
Brown said he was rapt with the buy-in from the league itself and the representative players selected.
He pointed to the fact six-time Hampden league premiership coach Adam Dowie and Leigh McCluskey, who led the interleague side to its last state championship in 1991, had stayed involved and said it gave "strong credence" to the widespread importance of Bottle Green success.
But for Brown, there's a personal connection too.
"I played schoolboys and I'm very proud of my time down here," he said.
"My old man (Brian Brown) was a former interleague coach back in the '80s, so I grew up following the Bottle Green.
"It's been great being back home in Victoria, having an association with my old league and to give a little back."
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