But you get Naden talking about his beloved Rabbitohs and the potential in his playing group in 2019 begins to capture his imagination.

The realist is gone and the Westside coach dares to dream.

"I want to go that extra step this year and get the boys to commit. Anything can happen if everyone rips in," Naden says.

LISTEN: Hear the full interview with Matt Naden and Jason Hill as the Rabbitohs build towards the 2019 Group 11 season:

But he knows it's a big if, especially if the 2018 wooden spooners are to rise up and challenge for a top five berth.

Naden's been part of a hugely successful system at Dubbo CYMS and, after making the leap to join Westside in 2018, he knows the difference between being successful and missing out on the finals.

"You could have the most talented side in the comp but if you don't commit and get to training you won't go well," Naden said.

"It just comes down to dedication.

"However long the season is you have to commit. If you half commit you won't go anywhere."

The Rabbitohs have been in the swing of pre-season training for a month and while numbers have been modest to begin 2019 both Naden and returning reserve grade captain-coach Jason Hill believe attendance will increase as the season draws near.

The pair sees no reason Westside can't improve on last year's three-win campaign, especially when you look at their back half of the year.

The Rabbitohs didn't win a game in the second round, seven straight losses relegating the red and greens to eighth on the ladder.

Naden's making it well known committment needs to improve if Westside is going to challenge the better teams in 2019, but he could also do with a bit of luck on the injury front.

"When you look back, from that first game against Forbes to the start of the second round when we played them again ... we only had one first grader from that opener," he said.

"Injuries hurt us at the back end but everyone dug in and did the best they could.

"And, doing (the coaching job) by myself, it's not going to be easy, I know it's not going to be easy, it's pretty tough actually, but I'm willing to rip in and try and do the best I can to get Westside in the finals."

Hill says Naden has been tremendous for the club and his professionalism will rub off on some of the Rabbits' exciting crop of juniors.

"All the boys are putting in and if we get some more numbers it'll help us push harder to make the semis," Hill added, returning to the club after helping nephew Dylan coach Macquaire's first grade side in 2018.

"I think with Matty here there's a lot of potential. Blaize Fuller, Kurt Fuller, all those boys sticking around to help Matty out, I think we can go well."

"We've got a few young fellas here that can step up for first grade. I'm a life member here and I'm glad to be back with the boys."