The two blues announced coaches for each of their three lower grade sides on Monday, Marty Lyden reappointed to mentor league tag and club veterans Glen Bunworth and Jake Hurford revealed as co-coaches of the Hawks’ first division outfit.

And in arguably the most important appointment ahead of their 2017 campaign, Steve Morgan will coach the club’s under 18s side next season.

Morgan was coach of the Bloomfield under 16s in 2016, a side that made the Group 10 junior league grand final this season.

Johnson said the club deliberated over a host of worthy candidates at Monday’s meeting, and would do the same in a bid to secure the services of the best possible premier league coach as well.

“Initially I was of the opinion we needed to jump in straight away … but the season is still five months away,” Johnson said, with as many as three applicants vying for the two blues head coaching role in 2017.

“We need to take out time to ensure we do the best thing by the club.”

Johnson said he was stoked the club was able to finalise its lower grade coaching roster.

“Buns and Hurf, they’re both two great clubmen, so it’s great to have them on board,” he said.

“They’re both busy enough that they probably couldn’t have done it alone, so to have two coaches, both of whom the players respect, will do wonders for our reserve grade side.

“You want reserve grade to be that community team.”

Group 10 chairman Linore Zamparini indicated his desire for all clubs to field four grades in 2017, following the game’s annual general meeting last Sunday.

Having been one of those clubs not to field the full quota of teams in 2016, Johnson added the Hawks club was desperate to field an under 18s side next winter.

The appointment of Morgan, who has a relationship with the promising under 16s kids coming through the ranks, was key to fulfilling that goal.

“It’s a great appointment. Very deserving as well. We’re very happy with the way things are going at the moment,” Johnson said.

The club will hold a meet and greet with the new lower grade coaches at the Gladstone Hotel this Friday at 6pm ahead of training for the 2017 season, which is expected to begin informally next week and ramp up in the new year.