So it should come as no surprise to find out the Magpies coach, who’s taking over the coaching reins from premiership-winner Jake Grace, is going into Sunday’s season opener thinking a side that couldn’t break its duck in 2017 is going to be a serious challenge for the swoopers on home soil.

Forbes hosts a new-look Dubbo Westside under the tutelage of Matt Naden and Claude Gordon and Greenhalgh is preparing the Magpies for a brutal affair.

“We certainly won’t be taking Westside lightly,” Greenhalgh told the Forbes Advocate.

“We’re expecting the whole competition to be pretty handy.”

Forbes enjoyed a mixed pre-season, snatching a draw with Bathurst St Pat’s in the annual Brendon Stubby Collits memorial game before one loss and a win, against Wellington and Parkes respectively, in the Group 11 trials.

After disappointment in the Magpies’ 38-0 final trial loss against Wellington two weeks ago, Greenhalgh says the side’s focus has been on defence in the lead-up to the competition proper.

“Last week we did a lot of defensive stuff, particularly physical defensive stuff,” he said.

“This week we’ll work on attack.” 

Despite the loss of arguably the best prop in Group 11, Zac Merritt, the Magpies pack will have a familiar feel to it in 2018.

Jake Grace will still skipper the side while Ben Robinson, Traie Marritt and Ben Maguire will line-up for Forbes, new faces Brad McMillan and Kurt Mylecharane are also in the fold.

“Hamish Coles has also been really impressive,” Greenhalgh added. 

Sunday’s action kicks off at Spooner Oval with league tag at 11am.