Kyle McCarthy will coach Southcity next season.

The star halfback will replace Nick Skinner as the Bulls leader for 2018.

After coming through the junior ranks at Turvey Park to join Southcity, McCarthy is looking forward to testing himself in the new role.

“It is definitely a good gig to get into as Nick as done a tremendous job and the club is in a good spot at the moment,” McCarthy said.

“There is a little bit of pressure on as Nick has the club in a fantastic position.

“With reserve grade are going well and we have good junior coming through with 18s on top of the ladder there is plenty there to work with.”

After the Bulls have tasted so much success in recent years, McCarthy doesn’t want to re-invent the wheel.

Instead he’s looking to build on the platform laid by Skinner, and Daniel Fitzhenry before that.

“There is not too much to change,” McCarthy said.

“It will be a similiar sort of game plan which has been successful for the last five or six years. I just want to lead by example."

At 29, McCarthy finally believes he’s ready for the role.

And with Skinner looking to take a back seat, the timing for right for the Bulls.

“I’ve thought about if for a few years but I probably don’t think I was quite mature enough until recently,” McCarthy said.

“It is something I’ve been pondering but having good coaches go before me and watch them go about their duties have helped.”

Almost at the end of a three-year stint as captain-coach, Skinner was more than happy to hand over the reins.

After guiding the Bulls to last year’s premiership and already cementing this season’s minor premiership, the front rower is looking forward to simply playing football.

“I think it is a good move for the club,” Skinner said.

“I’ve had a pretty good three years, which I’ve enjoyed, but I don’t want to get stale and I don’t want the boys to get stale either.

“I just want to enjoy playing next year and I’m sure Doc (McCarthy) will do a good job.”