Kennedy replaces Brendan Fevola, who has left the club after four seasons to join Deer Park in the Western Region Football League.

After a year away from coaching, Kennedy said watching Albury’s grand final win over Lavington sparked his interest to return to the fold.

“I want to challenge our footy club to step up to the plate again,” the 42-year-old non-playing co-coach said.

“It didn’t sit comfortably with me, Yarrawonga not playing off.

“We won’t be there to make up the numbers.

“I’ll do everything I can to get the club back up there.

“I love the rivalry that we had (with Albury) and want to make sure we are thereabouts again.”

Kennedy said he had not spoken to the club about the length of his tenure, but his return is sure to spark interest in several premiership players returning to Yarrawonga for a shot at another flag.

He’s also hoping to persuade five-time best-and-fairest winner Craig Ednie to commit to the club for another season.

“The main emphasis now is building good people around me and I’ll be targeting ex-premiership players,” Kennedy said.

“I’m very proud that Yarrawonga’s stepped up to Albury and we want to step up to them again.

“It’s a big effort, on and off the field, to do that.”

Kennedy was co-coach at Yarrawonga with Barnes from 2011-2014, winning back-to-back flags in 2013-2012 and losing grand finals in 2014 and 2011.

Kennedy, who won a record five best-and-fairest awards at Shepparton United, said the hardest person to tell about his decision to coach again was his wife, Katrina. 

“It took a fair while to break it to my wife ... (but) she wasn’t surprised,” Kennedy said.

“The club’s been up for so long, I want to work really hard to keep it up there in the top bracket.”