Oxley guided the Bulldogs to the grand final this year – his first as head coach – but they fell 30-18 at the hands of Emus. It was the third time in five seasons the greens had hoisted the trophy.

However, that result has only increased Oxley’s desire to see Bulldogs crowned the best side in Central West Rugby Union.

That is part of the reason he will return as head coach again in 2019.

“It would be very special to be involved in the grand final again. I certainly enjoyed it this year, but I want to enjoy it more next year,” Oxley said.

“I'm certainly looking forward to taking another step. We made a few gains this year and hopefully next year we can continue that progression.

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“It was very enjoyable and certainly there were challenges there which I knew existed before it commenced. It was difficult throughout the year coaching a club compared to a representative team, I've done a lot more representative coaching than what I've done club.

“But I am very passionate about the Bulldogs. A lot of people are interested in how the Bulldogs go and they certainly got fully behind the side.”

Oxley’s bid to help Bulldogs take that extra step and clinch its first top-grade premiership since 2010 will be aided by another well credentialed coach in Matt McRobert.

McRobert has not only previously guided the Bathurst Bulldogs’ first grade side, but Central West representative teams as well. Oxley feels his expertise will play a critical role in the bid to take over from Emus as the dominant force.

“Matt McRobert is a Caldwell Cup winning coaching with Central West, so he’s going to contribute throughout the season obviously as an assistant. That will be invaluable, his experience,” Oxley said.

"We’ve always had a strong forward pack, so he’ll be able to add to that and hopefully make that a real weapon for us next year.

“Our back line really shined in 2018 with the amount of points we scored, generally out wide through some impressive transferring of the ball and our speed. It became a little predictable by the end of the season, so we’ll have to add to our repertoire of how we are going to unlock a side like Emus. 

“They’ve been the benchmark for many years to be honest and I want us to take that mantle on.

“I want us to not just be able to break through, but to stay dominant if we can for many years because it's a very young side.”

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Stringing together a run of grand final appearances and premierships is no easy task, yet it something that Oxley has been a part of. 

He was member of the side which won in 1994 and while Dubbo prevailed the following year, Bulldogs then won the competition from 1996-98.

“In 1994 when we did break through, I think it was 10 years prior to that when we'd last won a competition in 1985 and I wasn't playing then, but it was a decision from the players to go to the next level. That’s what I’m hoping for and they certainly applied themselves this year,” Oxley said.