HAWTHORN has unveiled premiership player Max Bailey as a new addition to its coaching panel for 2017.

Bailey will return to the club where he spent eight years as a player as a development coach.

The 30-year-old retired just short of his 27th birthday after only 43 games in eight seasons.

A positive attitude saw him work his way through three knee reconstructions during his time as a Hawk, with his AFL career culminating in a grand final win in his final AFL game in 2013.

Following his playing career, Bailey took on a role as a development coach at Richmond at the end of 2013, a position he held for two years.

In 2016 Bailey spent six months in Tanzania, working with the Future Warriors Project to assist Maasai communities in need of support.

“I finished up at 27, just due to the fact that I couldn’t keep going and keep doing what you need to do as an AFL footballer,” Bailey said.

“It was hard at the time, but now it’s allowed me to do some other things at the end of my career, which – had I finished my career four or five years later – I wouldn’t have been able to do.”

GM – Football Operations Jason Burt said the Hawks were thrilled to welcome Bailey back to the fold.

“We are delighted to have Max back at the club,” Burt said.

"Max was obviously a talented footballer but he is also a humble person with an incredibly strong character.

“We believe he will be an excellent fit, and will have plenty of knowledge to pass on to our players.

"As a player Max was much loved by coaches, players and staff and we are rapt to welcome him back to the club in an official capacity.”