Luke Beveridge insists he never seriously considered moving to a rival AFL club before agreeing a new deal that will make him the Western Bulldogs' coaching games record holder.
Beveridge, who had one season left to run on his existing contract, this week signed a new two-year agreement that will keep him at Whitten Oval until the end of 2025.
It came despite speculation linking Beveridge to his former club St Kilda, who sacked Brett Ratten in October and brought back Ross Lyon as coach.
Essendon, Greater Western Sydney and North Melbourne also had senior coaching vacancies this year.
But Beveridge, who led the Bulldogs to their drought-breaking 2016 premiership, said switching clubs was "never a factor" in his mind "this time around".
"It was probably about five years ago where there were some possibilities," Beveridge told reporters on Friday.
"But ultimately I've always wanted to stay here as long as I can and push the boundaries on what we've wanted to achieve and see it through.
"A lot's changed since I started, so you feel like you've really got your hands in the clay, and I don't want to walk away before I've totally expended what I can.
"I feel like I'm just getting started."
If Beveridge sees out his new deal with the Bulldogs, he will surpass club legend Ted Whitten's record mark of 228 games at the helm.
The 52-year-old has coached 183 games since taking the reins in 2015, in the process becoming the first man to lead the club to two grand finals.
He has a 56.8 per cent winning ratio - better than any Bulldogs coach who has lasted more than two seasons.
"The energy's still there," Beveridge said.
"I'm absolutely invigorated and looking forward to the next challenge."
The Bulldogs lost 2022 best and fairest winner Josh Dunkley to Brisbane in the off-season but have bolstered their key position stocks with Liam Jones and Rory Lobb.
Those acquisitions, plus the continued development of emerging talents like Sam Darcy and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, have given Beveridge a bullish outlook.
It follows an embarrassing fade-out in last season's elimination final defeat to Fremantle, during which the Bulldogs threw away a 41-point lead.
"The disappointment has, in a sense, been left behind, but it's in the subconscious," Beveridge said.
"That gives us a belief that we absolutely left something out there, so we've got to make sure that '23 is a year when we maximise our potential."
