The 40-year-old veteran batsman and medium pace bowler will combine the coaching job with playing as he begins his 24^th year with the Knights since making his A-grade debut in 1992.

“I am pleased to have the opportunity to take over from Liam Devlin who did some great work last year with our club with our thirds and fourths being premiers,” Nutting said.

“We’ve got a great group of young players coming through and it’s an exciting time to be part of that and be involved with the players’ development.”

Nutting has coached before being an assistant coach in their premiership year of 2003-04 and head coach the following year when the Knights made the grand final.

He has been appointed South Launceston coach for the next two years.

“I’m in a position now to go back down that track after studying and qualifying as a teacher and I’m looking forward to working with our first and second grades and helping out Lyndon Iles with thirds and fourths,” he said.

“I am still keen to play and thankful the club has given the chance to do that and have the dual coaching-playing role and for me coaching is another form of motivation to continue on playing and being around the club.”

Nutting has played about 297 games for the club and expects to bring up the impressive 300-game,10,000 run milestones in the coming season.

He said the Knights first-grade prospects were good with a talented list and a good mix of youth and experience.

“South Launceston has always produced talented players and my goal is to utilise that talent,” Nutting said.

“ I want to have the boys to be confident in their own ability, to make the most of their talent and to go out and take it up to the opposition on the field over the next two years.

“I think the coaching role will allow me to have a good inside feel for the team on a Saturday.

“I will probably take a step back from the coaching on game day with Alec Smith being captain.

“It will be good to have that sort of outlet playing and then having more of a coaching role during the week so I think it will be a good balance for me.

“I had a year off a couple of years ago and that really re-energised my enjoyment for the game.”

South Launceston player Jeremy Jackson has stepped up to take on the club president’s role for the 2016-17 season and was thrilled with Nutting’s appointment as coach.

“I’m very excited for the year ahead and we have a number of highly committed individuals in positions of responsibility around the club,” Jackson said.

“It is great to have someone with the knowledge and experience that Mark has coaching our club. 

“We have quite a young playing list across all grades and Mark's input will be fantastic for their development.”

The Knights are holding pre-season training sessions on Tuesday nights from 7-8.30pm and on Thursday from 7.30-9pm at the NTCA indoor nets. Nutting said current, past and new players are welcome.