K Rock Football | Mark Neeld says a range of factors led to him extending his tenure as South Barwon for another three years, while also confirming one of local football’s worst-kept secrets.

The former Melbourne AFL coach, who is in his fourth season with the Swans, agreed to a three-year contract extension last month, keeping him at McDonald Reserve.

But not before considering an offer to return to Bellarine club Ocean Grove, whom he guided to four consecutive premierships from 2000-03.

“I’ve got unbelievable lifelong friends that are starting to get back involved with the club,” Neeld told K rock Football’s Beyond the Boundary.

“Was it a consideration to coach Ocean Grove? Absolutely, it was a consideration to think through that.

“We spent a long, long time in Ocean Grove… we lived there, our kids grew up there, (and) they all played netball for the club.

“I played for the club, coached the club. For all intents and purposes, we would refer to that as our home club, as a family.

“So, there’s always going to be that attraction.

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