Joey Cudmore, David Geary and Luke Sprague – who are no strangers to the Sharks colours - will all return to the club next season, with pre-season training beginning on Tuesday, November 28, at Oxley Oval.

“We’re set with our squad now and bringing a few old heads back, like Joey Cudmore, Dave Geary and Luke Sprague gives us great experience,” said the former Melbourne Storm NRL squad members.

“I think we’re set for a good year. With the older blokes coming back, they have a lot of experience and we’re happy with having a lot of depth.”

Hawkins has brought in Group 19 player, Jayden Ehsman, who may prove a dynamic addition to the outside backs.

“I’ve known him for a while and use to play against his brother, who was at the Roosters,” Hawkins said.

“I knew them from school as well. I met Jayden that way and I’ve always rated him as a player.

“He went to a few NRL clubs, including the Cowboys, and eventually found himself back at Glenn Innes.

“He’s only a young kid but he offers a lot. He plays in the outside backs. We have trials and pre-season to work out where he’ll play.”

Normally a fullback, Hawkins could use Ehsman in the centres or on the wing as well.

“His running game is his strength. He’s a real natural footballer,” he said.

The squad includes Jake Flannagan, Scott Grant, Cudmore and Hawkins who can all play hooker. Add in Sprague, and all of the men could slot into the halves.

“I have a good headaches looking ahead to what the team will look like in 2018,” he said.

Hawkins had stints at the Storm, Cronulla and then St George Illawarra – but he is now ready for a captain-coach role, and to help end the Sharks three year premiership drought.

He won a Toyota Cup (under-20) premiership with Melbourne in 2010 and is no stranger to hard work and helping out his community, something he was able to do recently by spending time with disadvantaged Indigenous students to spread positive messages about life and school.

“The kids came from Inverell and I was able to have a chat with them about making good choices, healthy eating and attending school,” he said.

“With this particular group of kids, they only had a 30% school attendance 12 months ago and now it’s above 80% so it was great to give them a pep talk.

“I’m a Koori kid from Manilla, and I said to them if they put their head down they can achieve something they’re proud of one day like I did with the Storm.”