The 33-year-old has signed on as captain-coach for next season and is looking forward to stepping up to the challenge.

“I’m looking forward to it, it is going to be a challenge but I am excited,” Wakefield.

“I’ve been thinking about it (coaching) for the last few years and it is something I’ve wanted to do that is for sure.”

Admitting he doesn't know a great deal about the club’s history or its playing stocks, Wakefield doesn’t believe big changes are needed at the club.

“I don’t think they need too much, just a bit of structure and bit of discipline,” he said. “Hopefully we can turn things around.

“I don’t know too much about what they have got as players but from what I gather they are not too far off.

“Hopefully we can tweak a few things and win a few games.”

Wakefield’s ultimate goal is to resurrect the Magpies as a Group 20 force. 

After making the semi-finals for the first time in 2014, Hay struggled for consistency and numbers this season before finishing second last with only four wins.

Wakefield, originally from Sydney’s eastern suburbs, joined the Cherrypickers from Woy Woy and will relocate to Hay with his young family next and isn’t planning on starting pre-season training until January.

He said he had a number of options for next season, including with other Group Nine clubs, in Newcastle and in Canberra, but liked the support he received from the Magpies.

“They were very welcoming when I went out there and all the committee was on the same page, which is the hardest thing,” Wakefield said.

“If the whole committee is on the same page it is easier to get along.”

Wakefield made a big impact in his lone season with Young and could have made even more if it wasn’t for a number of injuries.

The lock was part of Riverina’s Country Championships win but played throughout the series with a broken hand and knee injury.

“I played with it for about eight weeks,” he said.

“I was playing two games.

“I couldn’t work so I had to make money somehow.”

Wakefield thought Young did well this season considering having consistently limited numbers at training.