The 2006 Yarrawonga premiership player and Ovens and Murray Team of the Past 25 Years (1993-2018) member agreed to the two-year term, with an option for a third, on Saturday.

Like all Victorian community leagues in the new COVID-19 world, the Murray League has had its salary cap slashed from $145,000 to $100,000.

"To try and keep everyone with a smaller budget will be quite hard, we're just wanting guys that really love the footy club," Hargreaves said.

"It will be different to what they've had before, so we'll try and keep it a little more relaxed.

"Obviously we'll try and win some games of footy, but we'll try and create a culture like Nathalia has, I've had mates that have played there and I think most guys are really envious of those guys and I'll be pushing for that here."

Providing COVID restrictions have eased to the extent where football resumes next year after this season was wiped out, the sport at community level will enter a new period where the almighty dollar is no longer king and players can 'shop' themselves around to the highest bidder.

There simply won't be enough money anywhere for a star to do that.

"We'll look to make it a good culture and family-oriented and keep everyone together and have some fun," Hargreaves said.

However, Hargreaves was always a fierce competitor, at all levels, including a 62-game AFL stint at Hawthorn and Geelong.

"Tim's done it all, so he's got a lot of experience and he's a footy man through and through," Barooga vice-president Zane Goodwin said.

It will be the 45-year-old non-playing coach's second stint at Barooga after playing there midway though the last decade.

It's also his second time as a coach after leading fellow Murray League outfit Mulwala in 2010-11, which included a grand final loss to Moama in the first season.

"Coaching is a hard gig, but I also learnt just how a football club runs in general, which you probably don't understand as a player, all the time and effort that the committee and volunteers have to do, you just get a finer appreciation of that side," he said.

"(On the field) I'll be an attacking coach and give the boys a free rein.

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"We're a young group and we've just signed Brodie A'Vard back from Wodonga Raiders, so we can look to build a side around him and hopefully keep as many players as we can."

James Hazelman coached the club for three years, including the 2018 grand final loss, but the Hawks finished 2019 outside the finals in 10^th.