Greg Horton, who’s compiled over 20 years of coaching experience, will become the first grade coach in 2018 and hopes to lead the Wombats to a successful campaign.

This looks to be more achievable than ever ahead of a Central West Rugby Union overhaul which will break the region’s rugby top flight into two competitions, in an effort to both reduce travel time and even the playing field.

This isn’t the first time Horton has steered a first grade ship as he coached Dubbo Kangaroos for five years, guiding them to a premiership in 2007.

Ten years onward and Horton hopes to bring that winning mentality to the burrow, along with some key coaching values.

“It’s not one of those sports where you can rely on one or two players,” Horton said.

“Having everyone involved and being an equal part of the team is important.

“Another key for me is supporting the players on the field.”

Horton had the chance to watch the Wombats run around on three occasions in 2017 and thinks the first grade side has a lot of potential.

“They let themselves down at certain times with mistakes but there were a lot of times during those games where they looked strong and performed really well,” he said.

The Wombats are expected to begin their conditioning ahead of the 2018 season as early as mid-January with gym sessions already being put together by club president Luke Humphreys

Not only is the senior club preparing for next year, Neil McDonald is putting the junior Wombats through their paces ahead of the central west representative season with Wednesday sessions underway from 5.30-6.30 at Jubilee Oval.