A week ago the Forbes-based mentor was scratching his head looking for answers after his side was well beaten in a trial match.

Now, he is full of confidence that his charges are ready for their opening match of the Country Championships against Southern Stingrays in Canberra on Sunday.

“The boys were really good today. It was a pretty intense session and with breaks we were probably going for about five hours but they were sharp,” Greenhalgh said.

“This session was really about getting our playing group together as a confirmed squad for the first time, getting them to gel a bit and make sure we were all had the same gameplan heading into next weekend.”

So what could possibly spark such a change in such a short space of time?

“I told them just to wipe last week’s performance, forget it, and focus on preparing for next week,” Greenhalgh said.

“I think last week we were still an extended squad but this week the boys knew they were in, they could focus and really get to work on how I want them to approach things.

“They know their roles and what is expected of them and I think that can have a big impact on their mentality.

“Having a guy like Andrew Ryan here as well, talking about the welfare side of things, really sparked them up as well and got them that bit more keen.

“These kids look up to him and what he has achieved, and we finished it off with a short opposed session against the 16s squad so there was a really good vibe among everyone.”

Western will travel to Canberra on Saturday, making stops at Parkes, Forbes and Cowra along the way, and will have a light run at Seiffert Oval upon arrival before a jersey presentation on Saturday night.

Then it will be all systems go for the match against Southern on Sunday.

WESTERN RAMS: Luke Gale, Blake Frost (Dubbo Macquarie), Jackson Bonham-Phair, Jack Davis, Matt Burton, Bayden Searle (Dubbo CYMS), Warren Baxter, Jayden Burke, Farren Lamb, Charlie Staines (Forbes Magpies), Clayton Couley (Nyngan Tigers), Darby Medlyn (Parkes Spacemen), Brock Naden (Wellington Cowboys), Riley Cheshire (Bathurst St Pat’s), Joe Hobby (Blayney Bears), Ty-Lee Simmonds (Oberon Tigers), Craig Tarr (Orange CYMS), Ray Simmons (Bourke Warriors).