With the likes of Brett Kimmorley, Michael Henderson and Nathan Fien joining the Illawarra Coal League coaching ranks this season, Costello was one of the more unheralded appointments at the back end of 2015.

While he doesn’t boast the NRL credentials of some of his more high profile peers, Costello is the only local junior at the helm of a first grade side and – having served a solid apprenticeship under predecessors Nathan Fien and Luke Swain – is confident he can bring out the best in the Butchers this season.

“It’s something I’d always hoped I'd get the opportunity to do,” Costello said.

“The way the comp was going I never really thought I’d get a crack at it given most coaches now have some sort of NRL or higher level background which I definitely don’t. But it was a decision that the club made and the path we wanted to go down to make it a more localised sort of group.

“I’m stoked to have the opportunity and I’m looking forward to having a good go at it this year.”

Costello’s appointment as first grade coach came was the key decision of a concerted effort from the club to return to its local roots with club stalwarts Danny Ostwald (reserve grade) and Benny Linde (under 18s) also on the coaching staff.

It’s a formula that’s brought the club success in the past and it’s something Costello believes can bring success again this year.

“As a club we realised pretty quickly that trying to keep up with what Wests and Dapto and Collies were doing wasn’t going to be economically or culturally sustainable for us,” Costello said.

“We’ve gone back to local coaches and predominantly local players trying to get that culture back in the place. It’s not that we lost it, but we just wanted to make sure we kept on track with what we’re about as a club.

“All coaches at Thirroul, including the guys with NRL experience we’ve had lately, have inherited a really good culture and a really good work ethic that’s been instilled by the likes of Brett Jones and Phil Ostwald in the past.

“They’ve developed that and they’ve handed it over now and it’s my turn and the players here now to continue it.”

Costello was also quick to assert that a move back local player and coaches will not see an acceptance of mediocrity from the nine-time premiers, with going one better than last year’s grand final qualifier the goal.

“That’s certainly the goal and we’ve got the players here that can do it,” he said.

“While we’re saying we’re getting back to local guys they’re all good seasoned first-graders, guys like Ty McCarthy, Rusko [Joel Ruskin], Johno [skipper Joel Johnson], so there’s no definitely no excuses for us.

“We’re expecting to go really well this year with the group of guys we’ve got.”

The Butchers have a tough first-up assignment on Saturday, traveling to Dapto to take on a side many have penciled in as premiership favourites.

“We’ll know pretty clearly where we stand after those first couple of games, especially that first game,” Costello said.

“Dapto are the most credentialed side as far as who they’ve brought to their club this year so it's going to be a massive challenge for us.”