WANGARATTA'S Luke Morgan will coach for an eighth successive season after signing on for another 12 months at Norm Minns Oval.
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Morgan, who joined the Magpies from Benalla this year, informed players at training on Thursday night he had extended his contract.
"I've loved it," Morgan said.
"It's been challenging and the first year at a club always is, but I feel I have a really good grasp on the club and players now.
"I feel we are in a good space.
"There is a real focus on the remainder of this season, but in forward planning it's good to get this locked away for both parties."
Despite speculation Morgan may be looking to continue in a non-playing capacity, the 2015 Benalla premiership coach said he was keen to extend his playing career.
"I'll continue on in the same role," Morgan said.
"Hopefully I can contribute on and off the ground.
"The support from the footy club, the board and assistants has been brilliant.
"My wife, Belinda, is really supportive as well which makes an enormous difference."
After a horror run with injuries in the first-half of the season, Wangaratta is primed to strike in September after climbing back into the top three.
It plays Wangaratta Rovers and Wodonga in the final two home and away rounds.
"We are travelling along OK," he said.
"The next six weeks are really important going forward."
Morgan said he hadn't noticed any huge differences coaching in the Ovens and Murray and Goulburn Valley leagues.
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"There isn't a lot of difference in the standards of the leagues but probably the biggest change is the list demographic," he said.
"It's a lot different at Wangaratta to Benalla which often happens when you change clubs.
"Benalla was very young for the majority of my time while we have a good spread at Wangaratta with some top-end experience."
Like cross-town rivals Wangaratta Rovers, the Magpies have already turned their attention to list retention with the signs promising.
The Hawks have stitched up key players Cal McFadden, Nick Murray, Nathan Cooper, Raven Jolliffe, Charlie Thompson, Shane Gaston and Michael Clark.
Promising youngsters including Dylan Stone and Jack Gerrish have also committed.
