Raiders signed Marc Almond as coach on Friday for 2022, with the league set to announce this week whether if will proceed with a four-week finals series.

Hodgkin entered rare territory in his debut season as coach in 2019, claiming the Morris Medal.

Historically, it's been difficult for playing mentors to snare the league's top individual prize, given the enormous hours needed to coach.

"I think it's a smart decision from the club, something I encouraged them to do in going down the path of a non-playing coach," Hodgkin revealed.

"I think to take us to that next level we have that older, non-playing coach that can devote a little more time than I could as a player, it's only going to benefit us."

Almond is known as a great 'teaching' coach and Raiders have a host of talented youngsters, including Declan Everett and Max Beattie.

"That's what appealed to me the most, there's nothing better than seeing development in young guys and Raiders have a great bunch of young kids coming through and I think I can really add to that," he offered.

Raiders have one of the league's youngest lists, so it will surprise many that the club sits behind only long-time powerhouse Albury for successive finals campaigns.

The Tigers have racked up 12, with Raiders on six.

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Wangaratta Rovers boast the league record with 14.

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