Reigning AFL premiers Hawthorn have strengthened their Tasmanian connection with the appointment of Brendon Bolton as coach of their VFL affiliate Box Hill.

The Tasmanian has previously coached North Hobart and Clarence on the island state as well as the now-disbanded Tassie Devils in the VFL.

"I am a life-long learner and am happy to be working with Hawthorn senior coach Alastair Clarkson and continuing to challenge the way things should be done," Bolton said.

The Hawks have also appointed former Essendon player David Flood as a development coach.

Flood, who played 54 games for the Bombers from 1986-94, was a development coach at Essendon from 1999-2003, the senior coach of VFL club Coburg in 2004-2005 and of TAC Cup side Calder Cannons for the past two years.

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