A return to finals after two winless seasons is now a realistic goal for the Bulldogs after an off-season that has delivered 12 new signings.

Bailey has moved to Wagga from Newcastle, where he established himself as one of the premier defenders in the Black Diamond League.

Bailey, 25, plays across half-back for Newcastle City and has been a regular representative of Black Diamond.

A desire for change led him to Maher Oval.

“I just wanted a change and to go country for a little bit, move away from the coast,” Bailey said.

“I’m really looking forward to it, it should be good.”

Bailey sought advice about the Riverina League from Black Diamond football operations manager Garry Burkinshaw, who put him in touch with his nephew, new Turvey Park coach Mitch Sykes.

Bailey has high expectations for the standard of the Riverina League.

“The rep sides are unreal so I’d say it’s definitely going to be another notch above BDAFL,” he said.

“It’s going to be a challenge.”

Sykes is pleased to welcome aboard such an experienced footballer.

“He’s going to bring experience around that middle age, which is good, and being a rep player and having played in such a successful side, he’s going to be a welcome addition,” Sykes said.

“He’s got really good skills so it will be good to have him using it and setting up things across half-back.”

Sykes could not have imagined for such success in the recruitment department over the past four months.

But the first-year coach is well aware that recruiting is only part of the battle.

“We’ve got a few quality players there and plenty of depth,” Sykes said.

“It reads well, but you have still got to put in the work and put it together on the ground.”

Turvey Park has appointed Truman Carroll as assistant coach to Sykes.

The Bulldogs begin pre-season training on Friday night.