Wangaratta Rovers' Daryn Cresswell on the verge of re-signing as coach

It's long been thought the former Sydney Swans' best and fairest would head home to Queensland after this year, but the club has worked overtime to keep the highly-credentialled mentor.

"Clearly we are on an upward trajectory and we want to maintain the momentum," football operations manager Barry Sullivan said.

"We do (want to keep Daryn), he's been really important for us in terms of the turnaround since 2018."

The proud Hawks, who dominated the O and M with seven premierships in the 1970s, were at their lowest ebb when Cresswell took over in late 2018.

The Hawks had just claimed their first winless wooden spoon, but armed with a handful of recruits, including former Wodonga Raider Raven Jolliffe and Sydneysider Nathan Cooper, Cresswell quickly transformed the cellar-dwellers.

Rovers staged a ding-dong battle with Cresswell's former club in Wodonga Raiders for fifth spot, but fell short on percentage of becoming the first club to play finals after a winless wooden spoon.

After the league was called off last season due to COVID, Cresswell has led the club into third spot, on percentage, with a five-two record.

In his 25 games in charge, the Swans' Team of the Century member has won 14 games at a 56 percent strike rate with the club on target to break a seven-year finals drought.

"I'm not far away (from making a decision), I'm speaking to Barry (Sullivan) and the board on Monday," he revealed after the club's win over Myrtleford on Saturday.

"There will be an announcement by next week."

Given his eventual plan to return to the Sunshine State, Cresswell was asked it it was a tough decision.

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"It is because it's such a great club, I enjoy being here and I've got a good rapport with the playing group, it wasn't the plan to coach."

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