The 2020 North Queensland interim Head Coach Josh Hannay has signed as an NRL Assistant coach at the Sharks for 2021.
Hannay had a controversial association with the Sharks in 2007. After playing 150 games at the Cowboys, Sharks coach Stuart Raper signed him.
Raper was sacked and Ricky Stuart took over with Hannay, a former Origin player, grand-finalist and NRL veteran, playing just three games under Stuart before being sent to play with the Gymea Gorillas.
Hannay said he wasn't bitter now, but Stuart could have better explained his reasons.
Following his playing career, Hannay led his home club to a premiership in 2012 as captain-coach, then accepted a job as head coach of Queensland Cup team the Souths Logan Magpies in 2014 where he was for three seasons.
Hannay also coached the Queensland under-18 side in 2016 and 2017, the year he returned to the Cowboys as an assistant to Green, helping them qualify for the Grand Final.
An Origin assistant under Kevin Walters in 2018, Hannay brings a wealth of experience to the Sharks and John Morris's coaching team.
Hannay said he was looking forward to working with Morris and the rest of the Sharks staff.
"I can't wait to get started. The playing roster is a very exciting one with some great established players and some exciting young talent coming through."
Sharks coach John Morris was pleased to have someone with extensive experience, both in the coaches box and on the playing field, to be joining his high performance set up for 2021.
"Being a centre himself, I am also looking forward to Josh bringing out the best in our promising outside backs in Mulitalo, Katoa, Ramien and Kennedy," Morris said
Hannay will arrive the second week of pre-season where he joins Morris and returning assistant Dave Howlett on the senior staff.
Joining the new assistant coach is former Bulldogs prop Aiden Tolman who will bring his talents to the Sharks in 2021 after signing a one-year contract.
Tolman began his NRL career at the Melbourne Storm in 2008, before switching to the Bulldogs in the 2011 season, where he played 222 games over 10 years and became one of their most consistent performers.
Tolman played in the 2012 and 2014 Grand Finals and consecutive Finals series from 2012 to 2016.
The father of three, who is a Sutherland Shire resident, jumped at the chance to join the Sharks.
"To live local, come to a strong club that has played finals for several years, I'm really happy to be here and to be on board," Tolman said.