The onballer/forward coached the Maryborough reserves in the Bendigo league last season and was an assistant coach at Carisbrook during its 2004 and 2005 premiership seasons in the Maryborough Castlemaine District league.

Tatchell said he was looking forward to the challenge of his first role as senior coach.

"Clunes had a bit of an ordinary year last year and I'm looking to improve them," he said.

He is hoping to bring with him the professionalism he learned under former East Point senior coach Shane Fisher at Maryborough this year.

"We've started pretty intensive training a fair bit earlier than they're used to, so a lot of hard work on general skills and fitness," Tatchell said.

"And with a number of recruits we will look to push up and aim to play finals."

Football manager Chris McLennan said Tatchell would have a fresh view of the playing list.

"It gives us an opportunity to perhaps recruit from a different area, so that's what we're spending some time doing," McLennan said.

The Magpies have already announced their first big recruit.

Ricky Andrews will return to the nest after coaching Charlton to a premiership in the North Central Football League last season.

Tatchell was looking forward to getting back out on the park with Andrews, having played together at Maryborough.

"Ricky Andrews is going to be huge for the club," he said.

"His credentials are second to none in country Victoria."

Richard Meerbach will coach the Clunes reserves.