HONEST conversations with senior players inspired Chris McLaren to extend his stay at Victoria Park into a fourth season.
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The two-time premiership mentor consulted players for feedback before re-committing to the Saints' top job on Thursday night.
It came as Koroit also secured senior netball coach Stacey O'Sullivan for another season.
I trust my leadership group to tell me if we needed a freshen up.
- Chris McLaren
McLaren revealed his passion for coaching remained intact as the Saints pursue a sixth-consecutive premiership.
"When you've been there for four years you definitely want to canvass the playing group to make sure they want you to be there," he said.
"I trust my leadership group to tell me if we needed a freshen up.
"When you get the strong support to stay on it definitely makes you want to continue."
The former Hampden interleague coach revealed several Koroit stars were keen to re-commit for next season.
He described the Saints' on-field leadership as "the best in the competition".
"Their experience and action makes my job a lot easier," McLaren said.
"The off-field support is equally as important - the people around the club and the assistant coaches are brilliant."
McLaren has this year handed more opportunities to youngsters as the Saints strive to prolong their premiership window.
"We've brought in a few and there's certainly been more senior opportunities due to our run with injury," he said.
"You always have one eye on the future and keep trying to build and improve for the future."
On the netball front, O'Sullivan said she had always envisaged a stint beyond one season in the role.
Her charges remain a strong premiership threat - sitting second behind Cobden after 16 rounds.
"I always had in my head I'd like to coach a couple of years," O'Sullivan told The Standard.
"We were keen to finish (in the top five) but to finish around second or third would be great.
"We're rapt with the way it's all ended up."
O'Sullivan said encouraging youth players had the club optimistic for the future.
"They're getting better and better," she said.
"There's so much junior talent coming through."