Gregg previously coached Marong for four seasons from 2012 to 2015 – he was appointed at the age of just 22 – before stepping down and just playing at the Panthers this year under his successor Damien Lock. 

Now 27, Gregg takes over at the Magpies from the outgoing Mark Perryman.

“After having a year off this coaching opportunity came up and I’m looking forward to giving it another go,” Gregg said on Wednesday.

While the Magpies didn’t play finals this year, they showed significant improvement on 2015 when they were winless and finished with a percentage of just 25.9.

This year the Magpies – who last played finals in 2011 –  won seven games and lifted their percentage to 83.9, while they also had their reserves win the premiership.

“I’m going there with the same expectations as I did at Marong, and that’s to try to bring the club some success,” Gregg said.

“They finished just outside the finals this year, which was a massive improvement on where they were the year before.

“Having looked at the side they’ve got and hopefully, bringing in some recruits to strengthen it a bit more, it’s exciting going into next year.”

Joining Gregg at the Magpies will be his brother, Ben, with the pair to give a boost to the Boort midfield.

The Magpies boasted this year’s NCFL Feeny medallist in star ruckman James Orr.

Gregg says the chance to rove to Orr – who he has previously played against when Orr was at Bears Lagoon-Serpentine – was one of the enticements in joining Boort.

“That’s a very inviting prospect knowing you’re going to be playing alongside one of the best ruckmen in country footy,” Gregg said.

“I had some nightmares playing against him when he was at Serp, so I’m really looking forward to hopefully, being fed really well from him throughout the year.”

In Gregg’s four years as Marong coach he had a 37-31 record and the Panthers finished 6^th, 4^th, 4^th and 6^th. 

Gregg’s stint at the Panthers also included winning the 2012 Harding Medal.

“I enjoyed my time at Marong and a lot of work went into it during my time as coach, but Locky has them going in the right direction and this is a good opportunity for me to step away and take on a new challenge,” Gregg said.

The 2017 NCFL season is set to begin on Saturday, April 8.

While the fixture hasn’t officially been released, Boort is penciled in to take on Donald in round one.

Boort won its last senior flag in 2008.