Lenon - who has won nine senior premierships as a coach, including back-to-back flags for the Bombers in 2017 and 2018 - is excited to be entering a sixth year at Marrar but in a co-coaching partnership for the first time in his career.

"I think it's a great idea. It will work out well. It's something different - I've never co-coached with anyone before. I'm excited by the idea and excited to be able to do it with big Jimmy," Lenon said.

"The club, they're pro-active, they think outside the square a bit and they came up with the idea.

"I was probably thinking this was going to be my last year, I'll be honest, but this idea appeals to me. I think it's exciting.

"The club's been fantastic to me and it's a way to stay involved and pay the club back a little bit, and it's an opportunity to help Jimmy with his coaching."

Lawton has taken the Farrer League by storm, kicking 75 goals in 12 games. But Lenon has been most impressed with Lawton's team-first attitude at Marrar, and his involvement in plenty of other goals every week too.

"To me, he's shown really good leadership qualities already. He's got the respect of the players, and he's been fantastic since he jumped on board," Lenon said.

"He's playing good footy but he's a really good team player and the players love him.

"He's a brilliant footballer and it's a huge result for the club (to have him again in 2022), that's for sure."

Lawton, 30, has played in the VFL, SANFL, Ovens and Murray, Goulburn Valley and Riverina Leagues, and is thrilled to be embarking on his own coaching career.

"I'm very excited, it's a great opportunity," Lawton said.

"I've always kept an eye on coaching and I can't really see any better opportunity to get into it than doing it alongside Shane.

"Growing up at Ganmain, I used to love watching him coach and to see the success he's gone on and had, he's probably been the biggest influence on how I'd see myself as a coach or a leader."

Lawton signed on to play in 2020 before COVID-19 was heard of, and this year got himself fit and focussed for a big return.

He said Langtry Oval is the ideal environment for him to take a big step.

"It's a great club and we've got a really good group of players right through the ones, twos and the 17s. And everyone in the club, the netballers and everyone... I feel really comfortable stepping up into a new role there with people behind me and the way things are," Lawton said.

The Bombers have been the form team of the Farrer League this season, on top of the ladder with just one loss in 12 games.

That was to North Wagga, who they disposed of in last week's return game, and they have a vastly superior percentage (231.88) to second-placed East Wagga-Kooringal (143.62).

But Lenon's experience reminds him that there's a lot of football to be played yet.

"You've got to be up and about early in the year and be in good enough shape to win games early but you try to plan that you improve as the year progresses so when you get to the business end, that's when you want to be playing your best footy," Lenon said.

"But you don't know until you get there. But the way these players prepare and train and those things, it gives you confidence that they will improve as we move towards September. But we just focus on a week at a time."

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