They've finished a game shy of the grand final in consecutive seasons but Orange Hawks believe Group 10 glory isn't far away.
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The two blues on Tuesday confirmed captain-coach Willie Heta and his assistant Bobby Wykamp would again lead Hawks' premier league charge in 2020, following back-to-back preliminary final losses in 2018 and 2019.
Last year the club took a giant step, though, winning the minor premiership for the first time in six seasons and with the bulk of the same squad still on the books Heta's Hawks look likely to again feature at the pointy end of the ladder.
I thought I've been here long enough now I should throw my hand up to help out.
- Hawks' new first division coach Adam Hamling
Veteran outside back Jared Brodrick is the only major omission heading into the pre-season, but that loss will be offset once the club confirms its off-season signings in the coming week.
President Mark Johnston confirmed Hawks were in negotiations with three key players, one from Group Nine, another from Sydney and one with ties to the strong Newcastle competition, ahead of what is shaping up as a bumper 2020 for the club.
On top of Heta and Wykamp again coaching, league tag mentors Marty Lyden and Steve Pearson will also return, resuming their roles in charge of the senior and junior girls sides respectively.
Adam Hamling will step up and coach Hawks' first division side for first first time, though, and Jake Blimka is another first-time mentor at the club next season.
Blimka will coach the club's under-18 side and says after getting a taste as an assistant during Hawks' run to the junior premiership in 2015 he's keen to help guide Hawks' next generation of stars in 2020.
"I gave (Matt Boss) a hand four years ago and it was the year they went through undefeated, we got pretty lucky with the players in that side," Blimka said.
"I've always been at the club and hoped to coach. Jared (Brodrick) was pretty capable of doing it himself last year but I was approached this year and happy to do it."
Blimka has been in touch with the bulk of last year's group and said, with the addition of the Bloomfield under 16s progressing into senior footy, the players are keen to build on a sixth-place finish last winter.
One of those players is Jake's brother Ben - but the younger of the Blimka boys won't be getting any favours.
"He'll be there and he'll be doing a lot of extras to get into the team," Jake smiled.
Taking the reins after a successful two-year stint from Jack Middleton, Hamling has long been part of Hawks' first division set up and says coaching in 2020 was a simple progression.
"I thought I've been here long enough now I should throw my hand up to help out," Hamling said, Hawks making the 2018 reserve grade grand final only to fall short of the title.
Hamling said his aim was to get the younger players at the club as much top grade experience as he can.
"That's the goal ... bring them up through the grades and try and ensure the culture we have built here over the last few years stays the same," he said.
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