Former Melbourne captain David Neitz will join Hawthorn as a specialist coach, a week after the AFL premiers lost Danny Frawley to St Kilda.

Frawley was supposed to join the Hawks as a part-time defensive and key position coach, but he went to the Saints instead.

Now Neitz will have a part-time role at Hawthorn, helping their key position players.

Neitz played 206 games for the Demons and is their longest-serving captain.

He started at centre half-back before switching to attack and winning the Coleman Medal.

“The fact that David earned All Australian selection as a centre half back in 1995 and then again seven years later as a full forward indicates he has a great deal of experience at both ends of the ground that he can impart on our younger players,” said Hawks football manager Chris Fagan.