O'Brien, who has the Blues on the cusp of a top-three finish after making an elimination final last season, told the players he would be in charge again in 2020 at training on Thursday night.

He said the "buy-in of the players, commitment to training and the system we have developed" encouraged him to recommit.

"I think it all seems to be pointing us in the right direction," O'Brien said.

"I have a bit to improve myself as a coach and if I can keep improving I will be pleased."

O'Brien said next season would be "an important year for the club".

"The honeymoon period is over," he said. "You know what you have and the players know what they get."

Warrnambool had a tough start under O'Brien, losing its first five games in 2018 before a major form reversal.

"They (the players) doubled their effort and commitment to the club," he said.

"The harder it got, the harder they worked and it was wonderful."

O'Brien, a father-of-five who moved to Warrnambool in 19 years ago, coached former Warrnambool and District league club Deakin University Sharks to back-to-back grand finals in 2000-01.

He said technology was the major difference between his stint at the Sharks and tenure with the Blues and now "information arrives in their pocket a minute later".

"The video tools we have, the GPS devices we're using and the terrific stats Geoff Williams takes (all helps)," O'Brien said.

Warrnambool hosts a Hamilton Kangaroos team fighting for a finals spot on Saturday.

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