Shane Rodney will coach Orange Hawks in 2022 after linking with Group 10 club

The former Penrith Panthers and Manly Sea Eagles back rower will mentor the Hawks next year, taking over from Willie Heta's four-year stint at the club.

Rodney was part of the 2003 Panthers' premiership win and then later the 2011 grand final victory with Manly, before retiring from professional rugby league following a stint with the London Broncos in the English Super League.

He brings a wealth of rugby league experience to the club and he's hoping to use that to lift Hawks to new heights in 2022.

Group 10 and Group 11 are set to combine to form a new Western Premiership next winter, but some clubs are balking at the prospect because NSWRL officials are yet to release details for the new competition.

But Rodney is a big believer in the more the merrier, and says a larger competition will benefit everyone in the Western Rams division.

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"I'm in favour of more teams. The quality will be better and the players will go better. It'd be better for everyone involved," the 164-game veteran said.

"We're all a bit unsure about what it'll look like. Hopefully it'll be clear in the next couple of weeks and we can plan for the season ahead.

"First off, I'm hoping to get to know the guys. Then we can get our heads down and get into it."

Rodney, 38, joins Hawks after a three-year stint coaching St Mary's Sydney Shield side.

He has enjoyed coaching since retiring from rugby league and was keen to continue in that role in the bush.

He'll use little snippets of his experiences with title-winning coaches John Lang and Des Hasler.

He said the former kept things simple, which "you have to, rugby league is a simple game" and was great giving young players confidence.

While Hasler was an innovator, Rodney said, adding "he's a quirky character ... quite intense" and was always looking for ways to get an advantage over his opposition.

"I've got my own theories on things as well," Rodney said.

"I'm especially keen on helping those young guys at the club develop. If I can help someone progress, I enjoy seeing that. It's great seeing someone come through and then go on to a higher level.

"Hopefully we can find some good young local kids and help them progress but also help Hawks become a strong club moving forward."

Rodney confirmed he won't be playing in 2022: "My body won't hold up. I've had a few too many injuries."

But he said that won't impact on his ability to lead the side, even if some of the players he'll be coaching at Hawks weren't born when he first won a title in 2003.

"My eldest son is 10 and he was two weeks old at the last grand final I played in with Manly in 2011. I tried coaching his team a few years ago and he told me 'that was in the olden days, dad' ... so I'm sure there's going to be some kids who don't know who I am, and that's fine. I'm just hoping to come here and they learn something off me ... that's what it's all about," he said.

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