Michael Harley outlines how the Magpies will fly next year up the ladder

Castlemaine has won just seven of its past 101 games and new coach Michael Hartley is aiming for finals footy for the first time in more than a 15 years.

Castlematine’s recruiting spree isn’t over yet according to new coach Michael Hartley.

And the former three-club AFL player is aiming high as he looks to return the team to the top of the Bendigo league.

Castlemaine have been the most talked about team in the off-season, landing five recruits already, including Hartley who will play and coach.

He joins from Seymour following an AFL career with Essendon and Hawthorn.

Joining him as new recruits are Declan Slingo, Darby Semmens and Kalan Huntly who return to Castlemaine after playing elsewhere with Zave Huntly also signing after winning the premiership with Golden Square this year.

All recruits will be looking to end Castlemaine’s poor run.

The team has lost 94 of their past 101 matches and have not made the finals in more than 15 years.

“We were looking for guys who previously played at Castlemaine,” Hartley revealed.

“We’ve tried to snag a few back and help us up the ladder. It’s worked well so far.

“We’ve also targeted a few good players around that I thought would be handy to have and help us along.

“We’ve been on the hunt and working hard and luckily snagged a few with a few more to come.”

One of them is Huntly.

“He is a very good player,” Hartley said.

“I think he’ll be inside for a bit and put him up forward.

“We could throw him anywhere, he’s young and full of beans.”

Hartley added he is happy to play anywhere but would most likely switch his time in the forward and defensive half.

Castlemaine have their first session in the off-season with Michael Hartley as their new coach. Picture: Castlemaine Football Netball Club.

He said the other targets who might come to the club will be those who add to the team in multiple positions.

“In terms of positions, we’re not too bad, we’ve got some good talls, some good smalls, so I’m just sniffing around for good players,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter what position they play as long as they are fairly good players.

“There might still be a couple (of signings) in the works.

“I’ll let them pop out in the next couple of weeks.”

The focus is clear for Hartley, he does not want to see Castlemaine struggle under his watch.

He met the players a couple of weeks ago for a meet and greet and outlined what pre-season would look like.

This included a program set for several weeks before the official start of pre-season.

It is all in the hope of raising standards.

“We’re bringing the fire, we’re going to get a lot better and be pretty hard to beat hopefully,” Hartley said.

“I’ve signed on for two years, so I’ve got a two-year plan going.

“I’m aiming, it’s a bit ridiculous to say, but I’m aiming to get us into finals (first year) and win a lot of games.

“I want us to improve, I’m not coming here to make up the numbers.”

Castlemaine starts their pre-season on November 13.