Tim Malone says he is planning to finish up a long and successful playing career at Springbank.
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The dual Tigers premiership player has confirmed he is returning to the Central Highlands Football League club, where he last played back in 2016.
After claiming back-to-back flags with Springbank, Malone played two years with old club Lake Wendouree and home side Casterton-Sandford before deciding on a return to Wallace.
"I love the club," the 32-year-old told The Courier.
"I was going to retire but I'll have one more year there, maybe two..."
Following the 2016 grand final win over Buninyong, Malone took over as senior coach at Lake Wendouree in 2017 and was named Ballarat Football League coach of that year.
He stayed on as a player the following season.
The clever defender already had a successful history with the Lakers, having won the club best and fairest while captaining the team in its premiership year of 2010.
Springbank football manager Luke Kane was thrilled with Malone's return.
"We are rapt to get him back with his experience and leadership," Kane said.
"He'll be a great help for (coach) Joe Otto, having him in the backline."
Malone played at Casterton-Sandford last season under new Daylesford coach Hamish Jarrad and alongside returning Bulldogs player Trent Nesbitt.
He featured in 13 Western Border Football League senior matches and was named in the side's best on four occasions.
Otto took Springbank to an elimination final in his first campaign in charge and is looking forward to a second season at the helm in 2020.
The Tigers are scheduled to take on 2019 preliminary finalists Newlyn in the opening round of the new Central Highlands Football League season on Saturday, April 18.
After that, the side is booked to take on Buninyong, Gordon, Dunnstown and Beaufort in what is a tough start to the year.
