Nick Hall is no stranger to the Young coaching role, and returns as the Cherrypickers look to move back up the Group Nine ladder.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It's been a couple of disappointing seasons for Young, who finished eighth this year, but Hall is confident there is plenty to work with for a big 2020 season.
"There's definitely potential," Hall said.
"All coaches are optimists and you don't involved if you don't think you can help make a change.
"I think there is opportunity and it's obvious in the fact we've won the club championship in the juniors five years in a row and they won the club championship (in seniors)."
The self-confessed rugby league tragic is excited for his next shot in the senior coaching ranks.
After three years as chairman of the Group Nine juniors, plus various support and cameo roles in the sport, he's looking forward to stepping up to a new role.
"I've been pretty busy, but outside of Young, and I'm looking to getting back involved with the 'Pickers and senior footy," Hall said.
"I can probably use all the tools in my bag."
After being part of Young's 1998 grand final appearance, Hall returned as captain-coach of the club from 2001 to 2005 and continued to play on into his 40s before eventually hanging up the boots after their finals run in 2015.
He replaces Roy Jewitt, who is also a former 'Pickers captain-coach, after a mixed season.
Young have a win over Southcity at Harris Park to their credit, but struggled for consistency.
They managed six wins, and a draw, but finished nine points behind fifth-placed Brothers.
Hall believes they aren't far off the mark.
"They were competitive this year, beat some of the top sides and performed in every game for periods," he said
"Whether it was half a game, three quarters of a game, four tackles out of a set, they did it but just need to be more patient, more persistent and more ruthless.
"That is what the top sides do.
"With a few tweaks here and there, there isn't a huge change needed, and it seems like you're a long way off but sometimes you are not."
A priority is retaining their local players and fostering what have been strong Sullivan Cup, Weissel Cup and reserve grade talent through the ranks.
However Hall believes a couple of additions are needed to ensure Young improves.
"All coaches would like one or two of those key positions, whether it be someone in the spine or a big guy," he said.
"Young have been always been well served with middles but I'd just like some quality.
"If you're bringing in one or two you want to bring one or two high quality guys and mesh them into what is already a very talented side.
"The beauty of having all the local blokes is they are invested, they care about the town and we just need to tweak them a little bit."
Hall also believes the younger members of the side will be better for another season in the top grade.
READ MORE