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New Claremont coach Ashley Prescott admits he has unfinished business at Tigerland, chasing a premiership that eluded him in his first stint at the helm.
The 48 year old signed a three year deal to return to Claremont on Monday, having previously coached the club from 2004 to 2007.
The club made three Grand Finals in his initial tenure, but suffered defeats in each of those matches by an average margin of 48 points.
Having spent 13 year in the AFL system across three clubs, Prescott told Sports Drive on Monday he has unfinished business with the Tigers.
"I think it would be crazy not to think that there is (unfinished business)," he said.
"You always reflect back on those experiences and think about what you could have done better, what you did okay.
"Like anyone in the football industry, you aspire to be there on Grand Final day and ultimately win it. But we know there's a lot behind that and a lot of things you need to do to give yourself a chance."
Prescott's appointment comes after the club sacked Darren Harris less than a fortnight ago, having coached the club to within three points of a premiership triumph in season 2020 which concluded earlier this month.
The former Richmond and Fremantle player said he was happy to be back in Perth, after spending the past six years on the Gold Coast with the Suns as a development coach.
"When I had a chat to the club, purely and simply I just missed coaching. Essentially coaching is really integral to who I am and I love it so much," Prescott said.
"I'd pretty much got my head around potentially coaching at Colts level, even at amateur level or coaching women, which is something I'm really passionate about also.
"Remaining in coaching was something that I really wanted to do, but I just didn't know what that looked like. We just wanted to move back to Western Australia because we love it, we want to raise our family here and live here forever.
"I was really fortunate enough to get a phone call from Claremont wanting to have a chat and things moved pretty quickly from there, which is really pleasing and I'm really honoured to accept the role."
Prescott admitted he was surprised to be presented with the opportunity after the club's successful season.
"It was a bit of a shock, but really as far as that goes the club made a decision and now it's just about moving forward, and that's really exciting," he said.
"I felt a little bit vulnerable that a position might not become available, but obviously something did and it's onwards and upwards from here."
When asked what the club needed to add for season 2021, Prescott was quick to praise the club's current playing depth.
"What has been a strength of Claremont Football Club for quite some time is really good depth. The Reserves played in a Grand Final, the Colts did too. I'd be really comfortable that the club wouldn't need to go out attracting any different players," he said.
"There could be an influx of players that may have unfortunately have ended their careers in the AFL. I'll lean on the staff that are involved, get a feel for the playing group. At this stage I'd be pretty confident that you'd be backing in the Claremont players who are there at the moment."
The Tigers are likely to start pre-season training before Christmas, before returning early in the new year to avenge their 2020 Grand Final heartache next season.
IMAGE: The West Australian.