The three-way co-coaching group are hoping to build off the work Brian Roberson and Phil Newton did with the first grade side in 2016, a year which saw the Bulldogs fall just one match shy of a grand final appearance.

Roberson will continue his involvement with the first grade side in a managerial role.

Pearce said he’s looking forward to the coaching partnership with McIntosh and Kemp.

“Pip, Col and I were concerned initially about having three coaches but we saw that we were all on the same page. We’ve got the same ambitions for what we want from the team and from the club, and to keep improving on what last year’s coaches did,” he said.

“I think they’ve laid a foundation that’s going to be pretty hard to improve on, to be honest, but that’s certainly what we’re going to try and do.

“Pip brings some fantastic man management and technical skills to the table. Col’s the same. We’re all in fairly different roles but with the same objectives in our work and the same sort of love for rugby.”

Pearce began his involvement with the Bulldogs in 1994, playing colts, but after breaking his leg twice in two years he took up refereeing.

Around five years ago he became involved with the Bathurst club once again when, to improve his fitness, he started appearing at the club’s training sessions.

“I really liked the involvement with the club and realised how much I missed that camaraderie, because it's a sensational club from that point of view,” Pearce said of that return.

“I’ve always had that attachment here and it felt like coming home in some respects. I then decided to give up the refereeing the year before last, and I put the boots back on.”

Pearce already has a season of coaching experience under his belt thanks to his work with the second grade side last year.

Now he’s put the boots away and stepped up to take the reins at the club’s top side.

“There were a couple of weeks there where they were the best team in the comp," Pearce said looking back at last season’s impressive Bulldogs outfit.

“We’ve just got to make sure they’re consistently there across the year, which is always a challenge with injuries and availability.

“I think we’re very fortunate in a lot of respects that last year in second grade, as a coach, we inherited some colts who have now gone through first and second grade and brought some fantastic new dimensions to the club.

“We’re going to inherit a few more of them this year, adding even more depth to the team.”

Changes have also been made to the Bulldogs coaching staff in other grades as the Bulldogs aim to repeat their club championship triumph from 2016.

Justin Mobbs and Al Fryer will coach second grade while Ash Goninan and Steve Locke have control of thirds.

Jordan Bull is back to coach last year’s undefeated colts side, along with Tuma Aisake. Sam Phiels and Lana Plews will mentor the women’s team.