Ritchie led the Mustangs to a grand final in his first year in charge but was forced to miss the decider after breaking his arm in the opening minutes of the major semi-final loss to the Breakers last season.

Ritchie’s passion for rugby league and the Mustangs can’t be questioned and he came close to playing through the injury just days after surgery.

Ritchie opted to put the team before his own aspirations but watching on from the sidelines as his side suffered a narrow 28-20 defeat added fuel to the fire for the captain-coach.

“The disappointment of missing the grand final last year played a part in wanting to coach again,” Ritchie told the Argus.

“I didn’t want it (career with the Mustangs) to end that way.

“A few of the boys asked me to come back and coach again so I was keen to give it a go.”

The immediate success Ritchie brought to the Mustangs is undeniable, but the damaging centre also said there was plenty to learn from the 2017 campaign.

“Our discipline cost us against the Breakers, we let ourselves down,” Ritchie said.

“We have been training for a few months now and our fitness levels will be better than last year.”

Ritchie claims the increased fitness levels of his players will aid in erasing the silly penalties and mistakes that plagued his team.

“It will help us put together 80-minute performances and keep our intensity up,” he said.

“When you’re tired and lazy you will give away a penalty or push the limits in a tackle to get your breath back.”

Macleay Valley also announced the rest of their coaching staff for 2018.

Richard Dixon and Mal Webster Snr will co-coach the reserve grade side.

Darren Holton and Beau Russell-Docherty take the reins of the U18.5s side, which enters the campaign on the back of consecutive grand final appearances.

Meanwhile Mustangs president Tim Moorehead will remain in his position as coach of the Ladies League Tag side.

The Club Coach is Barry Vale.

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“These gentlemen possess extensive knowledge and experience in the game of rugby league. They also are representatives of the community ideals the club seeks to promote throughout the 2018 season,” Moorehead said.

Mustangs’ pre-season training has commenced under the tutelage of Kea Pereira from Macleay Crossfit.

“The club has been training hard for over seven weeks with many positive results already being achieved,” Moorehead said.

Macleay Valley announced they will enter their first grade side and Ladies League Tag team into the Coffs Harbour 9s tournament.

The first round of the Group Three Rugby League pre-season competition commences in Kempsey on March 10.

The Mustangs also announced they will host a trial against the Narwan Eels on March 24.

Any interested players should attend training on Tuesday and Thursday at 6pm at Verge Street.