According to Tigers coach Michael Searl late last week, Paul McMahon was unlikely to saddle up for a fifth season with the Tigers, but after conversations over the weekend, he remains more positive about the star forward playing on in 2017.

Searl, who led the club to its second-straight flag alongside joint-coach Nick Couch in September, believes McMahon is also considering a return to former club Lake Wendouree or even taking time away from the game.

“He’s got some serious things to consider with where he lives and with his upcoming wedding, so he needs to put his best interests first,” Searl said.

“We are hoping he wants to stay and be part of it again.”

Should McMahon leave Springbank, it would follow the exit of Tim Malone, who has returned to Lake Wendouree as senior coach for 2017.

He has replaced Gavin Webb, who spent five years at the helm. Webb announced he was standing down in September after the Lakers were knocked out of the premiership race.

Malone and McMahon both played in the Lakers’ breakthrough 2010 Ballarat league flag.

The luring of McMahon to Springbank in 2013 has proven integral in the Tigers’ recent run of success.

Recruited by former coach Sam Giblett, McMahon’s arrival was the first in a string of crucial additions to the club, including fellow North Ballarat Roosters players Searl, Couch, Billy Driscoll and Matt Tyler.

During his time at Springbank, McMahon has played 70 games and kicked more than 250 goals, including a league-leading tally of 89 majors in 2016.

McMahon is a multiple CHFL team of the year member and interleague representative and was named best on ground in Springbank’s grand final triumph over Buninyong last month.​

Searl has been reappointed as coach for Springbank’s 2017 campaign and will be out to create history in the CHFL. Since the league formed in 1979, no club has been able to win three-straight senior premierships.