Those are the words of new Oberon Tigers Group 10 premier league coach and former NRL player Luke Branighan, who is aiming to continue the “winning culture” the club developed last year.

Branighan’s appointment as the Tigers player-coach is an exciting signing for the club.

The move brings in a halves option who boasts 16 games of NRL experience (at both St George-Illawarra Dragons and Cronulla Sharks), several years of action in English rugby league and a player who is very familiar with the sport in the Western region, having spent three years with Group 9 side Young Cherrypickers.

It also brings in a coach who wants to build on the club’s 2016, when the Tigers began the season with seven straight wins but were knocked out in the elimination semi-final.

With training already underway, the Tigers won’t have to wait long to find out his approach and practice methods.

Branighan had received offers from “several” Group 10 clubs, but said making the move to Oberon was an easy choice.

“I was very grateful for the opportunity to coach the Tigers. I’m impressed with their set-up. I’ve had a lot to do with regional rugby league since I was a development officer and it was one of the most well-run clubs in the area.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge this year.”

After a season with the Queanbeyan Blues, Branighan is back in the Central West with big ambitions.

“I’ve watched a bit of footage of the team over the last couple of months and I don’t feel like they’re too far away so I’m hopeful I can bring that little bit extra they were missing,” he said of the Tigers. “A lot of that strength for last year comes off the back of the hard work from [outgoing coach] Zac Rowlandson.

“He’s the one who brought a winning culture to the club.

“They’ve got a good-looking game across the park, in both attack and defence, but they need it to go to another level. I’ve got my own style of attack I want to bring in.”​