He wants to lead them into the Group Nine finals.

After missing out on the business end in his first two years at the club, Black is confident the climb up the ladder and compete with the top teams.

The Brethren finished in seventh last season, with six wins, 10 losses and two byes.

Their record left them nine points adrift of Young, with an inferior for and against of more than 200 points.

However, 35-year-old believes they showed the ability to compete last season and will only be improved in 2017.

“We have been building in the last two years and I think next year is going to be a lot better for us,” Black said.

“I think we lost seven or sevens games by in between six points, so we were there and always competitive against the big teams.

“We are looking to recruit in certain positions and if we do get these ones pulled off we will definitely be a force this year.”

Now that his position is locked in Black is hopeful the club will soon have a number of new faces at the club.

However, no deals have been confirmed yet.

“I was always keen to stay and was always going to stay but with a new president and new board we had to wait to get it all finalised,” Black said.

“It is exciting times and I can’t wait to start training and getting ready for next year.”

Black is focusing on boosting the forward pack.

“We are looking at forwards, I think we were a bit light on in the forwards,” he said.

“I am pretty happy with our backs but forwards are hard to get.

"If we can jag some forwards then I will be very happy.”

Black confirmed centre Kirren Roughley won't be at the club next season, as he returns to the South Coast for university, while Edan Price is expected to miss most of the season due to facial surgery.