Kelly is looking forward to being back in charge of his local side saying it is important that someone with a connection to the area has the top job.

“It is just good to have a local back in charge of the side,” he said.

“I decided to take on the role to take some of the pressure of the guys coming in from out of town, and it’s always, and I’m hoping I can get everyone on board.”

Having been one of the form sides of the 2017 season having finished the season in second position but were eventually knocked out by Waratahs in the preliminary final.

Kelly said he is confident in his side’s ability to do it again this season.

“I think our fade last season was just one of those things that happen with a long season,” he said.

“It takes a toll on the body and the mind, and I think some of our guys were really suffering towards the end of last season.

“We pulled up our form against Darlington Point in the semi-final and even against the Tahs in the preliminary final, so hopefully we can continue from there when the season gets underway.”

Having identified the areas which needed improvement, the Sharks have made some key recruits they hope will help improve their chances of picking up the title with former coach Brent Pike making his return while Sterling Ross will come across from West Wyalong.

“It’s good we have been able to make these pickups as we lacked a bit of size up forward,” he said.

“We (Kelly and Pike) co-coached a few years ago so it will be good to have that experience back on board.

“Hopefully most of the guys from last year come back, and we also have some young guys we will be looking to blood which is really exciting.”

The Sharks have held their first training run as they prepare for the first big test of the season which comes at the end of February.

“We have had one training run, but numbers were a bit low,” he said. “It's not too unusual for us most will turn up two weeks before the West Wyalong knockouts.”