“They’re both really good throughout the club,” O’Keeffe said.

“They both help out the juniors a lot. They're not just coaching first grade, they're coaching the club.”

While both coaches share the club-first mentality, O’Keeffe noted when their individual traits were combined, it made for a winning combination.

“With Craig, every player that plays under him respects him. Everyone wants to play for him,” O’Keeffe said.

“He draws players to the club and he has the respect for the players in return.

“Andrew is an on-field leader, a natural born leader.

“His performances have been outstanding on the field and off the field he does lot of work with the players, too.”

The pair’s challenge for the 2017 Group 20 competition will be preventing a burnout like last year.

The Black and Whites spent the opening 16 of 18 competition rounds in the top five before finishing in seventh – but on the same points as the fifth and sixth placed teams.

A drive to improve on 2016’s finish has seen the players keen to go around for another year.

To O’Keeffe’s knowledge, the Black and Whites have retained their full 2016 squad.

First thing on the Griffith club’s wish-list is a big front-rower or two.

“We have a few irons in the fire at the moment,” O’Keeffe said.

”We need those bigger forwards to put in those 20 minute bursts.

“We had guys like Michael Uin, who’s half the size any prop should be, and he did a very good job playing prop for us all year.”

The club will kick off it’s pre-season training this Thursday, December 8 at 6.30pm on the oval beside the Leagues Club.

Another session will take place the following Thursday on the same field followed by a barbecue and drinks for Christmas.

2017 COACHING STAFF

Under 16s: Leo Seukeni and VJ Mataa (manager). Under 18s: Kierren Williams and Andrew Hoggart . League tag: Shailyn Williams. Reserve grade: Nathan Brand. First grade: Craig Morriss, Andrew Lavaka.