After two premiership wins with Dungowan in the Group 4 Second Division, Schmiedel was appointed to the Bears’ job this week and after North’s run of five grand final appearances in a row he is keen to keep the club on a successful path.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Schmiedel said.

“Some people might say it’s not a challenge because they’re already competitive.

“They built themselves up to where they are but there’s a few players who might be retiring or ready to go.

“I’ve got to keep them at the top and performing the way they are at the moment.”

But that doesn’t mean there won’t be changes.

After three years at Dungowan Schmiedel said he had learned some new ideas and one of those related to the

attitude of players and

administrators.

He hopes to bring the more social environment of the second division to first grade.

“At the end of the day it’s a game of footy and the players should enjoy it,” he said.

“That’s the second division mentality, but I think first division get caught up in the business side of things, trying to make money.

“I think the players get that way too, trying to make money instead of playing because they love it and being with their mates.”

There will be some personnel changes too.

Jamie Mitchell is off to Gunnedah rugby union while several other players have indicated they will retire or move on.

But Schmiedel said he hadn’t given up on Ben Surtees, despite a knee reconstruction forcing his retirement; Brad McManus, who had planned to coach Bingara next year; and even 2009 captain-coach Luke Taylor, who has retired due to chronic knee problems.

“We can work around his knee problems,” Schmiedel said. “Playing is not the problem, it’s just training.

“I can relate to that.

“If he’s keen to play I’ll be talking to him. Everyone knows what he can do on the field.”