Parkinson, 44 next month, has inked a new deal with the club, eager to coach a season without the added burden of having a home ground out of action and COVID-19 lockdowns.

The two-time premiership-winning Blue said returning to their spiritual home at Reid Oval, which is undergoing a multi-million dollar upgrade, could entice players to the historic club.

MORE SPORT: Magpie flying back to US for college re-start

He said they had a strong list but experience playing and training at higher levels would filter down the group and have a positive impact.

"We do need to top up with some recruits," Parkinson told The Standard.

"We need some top-end talent, someone with some VFL or AFL experience.

"If you look at the top-three sides - North have got Billie Smedts and Tyrone (Vickery) among their group, South have got Ricky Henderson and Josh Saunders and Koroit have Timmy McIntyre, the two Dobson boys (Ben and Sam) have played that higher level and (Jarrod) Korewha is in that higher level system.

"We haven't had anyone on our list (from those levels) for a long time.

MORE SPORT: 'Game to be won in midfield' says Bulldogs' milestone man

"You have to find the right person and they have to be willing to come down here."

Parkinson, father to Finn, 12, and Reg, 5, said the Blues' culture and depth of numbers was encouraging.

The Bega Koroit employee said the club often had 60 players - a mixture of seniors, reserves and under 18s - on the training track.

"I think the club is heading in the right direction off the field and that is work (president) Ken (Radley) has done through the junior program and he's transitioned into the senior program now," Parkinson said.

"It carries on from what (former coach) Matt (O'Brien) has done the past few years.

"People want to be at our footy club at the moment and they all should be excited about heading back home (to the Reid) and having a brand new facility."

Warrnambool called Deakin University's The Pond base in 2021 but heavy rainfall restricted their ability to train at the venue in the second half of the season.

Parkinson said playing at Reid Oval would provide stability.

"Hopefully we can have an uninterrupted year back on our home deck, knowing what we're doing Tuesday and Thursday (for training) and where we're playing each week," he said.

"It will make life a helluva a lot easier.

"I think we've trained on all local (Warrnambool and) District league grounds - Allansford, Creek, Merrivale, Collegians, Dennington and South Rovers this year."

Parkinson was appointed senior coach leading into round one this year following O'Brien's appointment as St Joseph's Primary School principal.

He said he was eager to enter a pre-season in the top role and provide an ideal preparation for the players.