MURRAY WENZEL THE CAIRNS POST DECEMBER 09, 2014 12:00AM

MANUNDA premiership player Marc Harbrow will return to the club as Colts coach, as the Hawks take steps to solidify after the axing of their senior teams by AFL Cairns last season.

The Hawks senior and reserves team were sensationally suspended from next season’s competition for refusing to play a round in Port Douglas earlier this year. After initially threatening to take legal action, the club has copped the punishment and Harbrow, who coached Cairns City Lions’ seniors last season, has returned to the fold in the first official step towards their rebuild.

A Hawks premiership player in 2011, Harbrow will play for South Cairns this season but take control of a junior Manunda squad that will make up a bulk of the senior side when they return to competition in 2016.

The older brother of Gold Coast Suns midfielder Jarrod was overlooked in favour of John Tootel to return as Lions coach this season.

“But it’s worked out really well; I get to play with my cousin Billy English at Souths and I get a chance to create a pathway for the young fellas at Manunda,” he said.

“That’s what appealed to me at Lions (junior development) and if I can get new kids playing at Manunda that will really help the club get strong again.

“When I first heard about the suspension I thought it was just rumours, I know they had to be disciplined but to kick them out wasn’t right because it impacts the other clubs.”

Manunda president Richard Martin has returned to the helm of an unchanged committee despite heavily considering to step down in the fallout from the decision.

“The wheels are still turning; it’ll be a massive job but we are still alive and kicking,” he said.

“Marc back at the club is a good move – I’m hoping he can get the guys up and running for 2016 in the process.”

Martin said last season’s coach Brad Sinclair had indicated he would return to coach the side once their suspension expires, while he has had commitments from a bulk of his senior playing group that they would return.

“Everyone is supporting each other, sponsors have continued to back us and we are just getting rolling again,” he said.