The six-time Hampden league premiership-winning mentor has signed a one-year extension with the Eagles, tying him to the club until the end of the 2022 season.

Dowie, 53, told The Standard he felt entrenched at the Bushfield-based club after joining in 2019.

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"As a family we've really enjoyed North Warrnambool," he said.

"It's a really good family environment and coaching-wise, and it's been wherever I've been, I've found a real reward and enjoyment in coaching young people.

"We have some really good young players out there and a really supportive committee."

Dowie, a schoolteacher and father-of-four, is learning to enjoy each moment more.

"As you get older, you get a bit wiser," he said.

"I feel like I've been a bit more relaxed. I have always been harsher on myself than anyone.

"My son Noah has been really good at saying 'Dad, relax and enjoy it'."

Development remains a key focus for Dowie who prides himself on preparation.

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"I keep learning, keep doing things wrong and doing things right," he said.

"I did a session with (former Western Bulldogs coach) Brendan McCartney during the last lot of holidays and he was talking about some stuff which I have started to use.

"I have been coaching for a long time but you're always finding new ideas, new ways to think and new terminology."

Dowie said his wife Jane and four sons had developed a strong connection to the club too.

"She really enjoys it there. She'll say 'yep, we'll come to social functions'. They've made her feel really welcome," he said.

"Even with the boys, there will be times where I'll go 'you don't want me to keep coaching footy' and they'll go 'why would you stop?'.

"Noah always takes it personally - 'why would you stop?'"

Dowie had an instant impact at the Eagles in his first season at the helm, taking them to the 2019 grand final.

His second season was wiped out due to the coronavirus pandemic which forced the competition's cancellation while he has the club sitting comfortably in second in 2021.

The Eagles have won nine of their 10 games and will return to the field against fellow top-five side South Warrnambool when the latest statewide lockdown ends.

Dowie is the Hampden league's most decorated coach, having won six senior premierships at three different clubs - Terang Mortlake (2004-05), Warrnambool (2010) and Koroit (2014-16).

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