BACK IN THE NEST

Narrogin-raised Steve Boughton will returned to his home town as he takes the senior coaching reins of the Narrogin Hawks for the 2020 Upper Great Southern Football League season. He replaces close friend Blair Forrest, who chose not to enter a fourth year at the helm of the Hawks. Boughton grew up in Narrogin and is back in the Hawks’ nest after working with South Fremantle Football Club and coaching Narembeen Football Club for three years in the Eastern District Football League. The 28-year-old will be a player-coach and hopes to take his side one step further in his first season after they lost to Boddington by 20 points in last year’s grand final. “I grew up in Narrogin and played (the) majority of my football there,” he said. “I guess you could say that I was always going to coach Narrogin at some point — it was just a matter of when. “Two of my closest friends in Cam Allison and Blair Forrest have been the last two coaches, so I was probably the next in line. “I have missed playing football at Clayton Road and really look forward to doing it this year. “I think the inspiration comes from wanting to coach my home club that I know very well.” The Hawks’ hopes of again challenging for a flag will be bolstered after the news key travelling players Mason Hill and Ryan Grey will be returning. Boughton expected the Hawks to field a similar squad to last year’s as they look to secure their first premiership since 2015. “The talent of this young group is inspiring, and seeing young men come to training with the goal of becoming better is a really good environment to be a part of,” he said. “The squad is looking good, fairly similar to last year with a couple of local additions. “We have a few other players in the pipeline that we will hopefully announce their names in the coming days. “I do expect to be at the top end again this year. This club has played in eight out of past 10 finals series, and in four of them made the grand final. “Last year the league was quite close and everyone feels that they are a chance at winning it.” Boughton was in charge of the Narembeen Hawks for three season between 2016 and 2018. “We didn’t have much success but it was a steep learning curve of what is expected to coach a football club,” he said. “I thoroughly enjoyed my time out there. “I feel that I am now better prepared to coach Narrogin because of my time at Narembeen.”