The former club captain moved to Darwin at the start of the year, but will return to the North East in October to take on his first senior coaching role at the Bushrangers.

Beechworth parted ways with coach Shaun Baxter just two games into his tenure this season, as the experienced Brenton Surrey stepped in to fill the void for the rest of the campaign.

Cartledge, 31, said his immediate goal was to attract any Beechworth juniors or former senior players back to the club.

"It's always been something I've wanted to aspire to eventually, and it was probably a good time to have a crack at it," Cartledge said.

"We've got some junior potential at Beechy and it would be nice to work with them and try to build something with that group.

"It was always the plan to be up here (in Darwin) short term, but this opportunity came along and it has all fallen into place quite nicely.

"There's good people we'd like to attract back to the club and make it a really good place that people want to stay at and play good footy."

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Cartledge hasn't taken the field since the 2019 Tallanagatta league season with Beechworth, but plans to be a playing coach.

"If I can pick myself in the top 21, I will, but I might have sit on the pine. We'll have to see what the list looks like," he said.

Beechworth president Adam Fendyk was rapt to get Cartledge on board.

"With the leadership and trust Tom has among the group, he was the best person for the job," he said.

"We think the guys will run through brick walls for him to be honest.

"He's come through the club's junior program, the family has had strong involvement along the way and Tom has always put his hand up to be a leader, there's no doubt about that."

Cartledge aims to get the group together for the first time in November.

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