Rowan, 34, needs 126 majors to overtake Tony Russell, who booted 1020 goals during his illustrious career with South Warrnambool, Port Fairy and Koroit.

The sharp-shooter, who has reached the century four times at Hampden league level, has signed with Warrnambool for the 2021 season after a stint coaching Merrivale.

He said gaining the record would be "something special".

"Hopefully I can knock it off in two years. A lot of people talk about that and that will be something so special I will be able to look back on when my footy days are done and dusted (if I get there)," Rowan told The Standard.

"As for now, it was the same when I was kicking 100 goals in the season, that is my job.

"I wasn't deliberately going out there to make sure I was a 100 goal-kicker and I am not going out there going 'righto, I am definitely going to get this record'.

"That's not why I am out there for. At the end of the day, if I am doing my job the goals just keep ticking over and tallying up anyway."

Rowan, dad to Freddie, 3, and Daisy, 1, has returned in a playing capacity, giving him extra time to focus on his craft.

"Being playing coach, there is always stress of the mind ticking over so to be able to walk back in and just concentrate on kicking goals, that's my job now," he said.

Rowan, who also reached the ton in the Warrnambool and District league last year, said he felt fit and the coronavirus-enforced layoff this season could help him stay in the game longer.

"I have full confidence in where the body is at and how I am feeling and feel I have made the right decision going back and having the next two or three years playing with Warrnambool," he said.

Rowan first played for Warrnambool as a top-age under 14 player and then won senior premierships.

He wants to savour being around "the playing group I shared so much success with".

"The phone was running hot last night with supporters and ex-teammates with well wishes," Rowan said.

He still wants to be a leader at the club and work closely with the Blues' juniors.

"I think they have 30-plus in their under 18s and in their under 16s. One thing I am really passionate about is giving the kids a lot of time," Rowan said.

But Rowan said it was a difficult choice to leave Merrivale which he believes is on the cusp of success.

"The first couple of years at Merrivale were pretty tough, going through a bit a turnover from what success Karl (Dwyer) had there," he said.

"We turned over a good amount of players early and finally got into a position last year where we finished top-three and had a couple of finals.

"I really thought this year was going to be our year before we got stopped with COVID. Our build-up was great and we'd recruited well.

"To leave knowing they're not far away down there was definitely one of the toughest decisions I have ever made."

Rowan said he was indebted to the Tigers for the support and belief they had shown in him.

"It's been a big month with the decision to stay on at Merrivale or have one last hurrah at the Hampden league," he said.

"To get the decision done and dusted is a good relief. But it was definitely a tough decision to make, right from the start Merrivale have been such a fantastic club to myself and (my wife) Bec.

"They really gave me that chance to go down the coaching side of things. It's always been something I've been really passionate about.

"I feel we're very grateful for that opportunity."