The former Timboon Demons premiership coach has been appointed to the Lions’ top job, seeing him return in an official capacity to the Warrnambool and District league club he for which played more than 150 games.

“I left South Rovers (back then) to take up a coaching position, but I always wanted to try to get back to the club,” he said.

Matheson, who is a life member at Walter Oval, launched his coaching career at Timboon Demons, where he guided the senior side to one premiership and two grand finals in his four years at the helm.

He then went on to take up assistant coaching roles at Hampden league clubs Port Fairy, under Shane Threlfall, and South Warrnambool, under Matthew Peake.

The Lions have challenged for a top-five spot the past few seasons without being successful, but Matheson hopes to help the team take the next step.

“Probably the last three or four years they’ve been really knocking on the door of finals,” he said.

“The playing group are really hoping to not only make finals but play well in finals.”

Matheson said he had ample opportunity to watch South Rovers in action this year, getting to about 80 per cent of games.

The Warrnambool College teacher lauded the efforts of the young Lions in 2016, but said finding consistency would be crucial if they were to push for the top five.

The gap between South Rovers’ good and bad days was highlighted in consecutive weeks late in the season, with a stirring upset win over Kolora-Noorat followed by a thumping loss at the hands of Merrivale.

“Their best football was certainly good enough against the top teams,” Matheson said.

“The potential is there. We just need to develop some consistency so the good’s good, but the bad isn’t too far away from that.

“The game against Kolora last year, they played really, really well, but against Merrivale (they struggled).

“With such a young playing list – many of the players you would call ‘senior players’, they’re pretty young as well – it’s probably about educating the group.”

The Lions have also appointed three-time Under 17.5 premiership mentor Peter Timms as an assistant coach for the senior side.

“It was crucial to me that I’ve got a really strong coaching panel behind me,” Matheson said.

“Having Peter as an assistant coach, he’ll play a critical role on game day.”

Matheson said the club would hold team meetings for both seniors and under 17.5 players within the next couple of weeks as it prepares to launch its preseason.