Fremantle chief executive Simon Garlick hopes Justin Longmuir will be at the helm for many years to come after the Dockers coach was handed a one-year contract extension.
Longmuir was entering the final year of his current deal this season, with the spotlight set to shine brightly on him following Fremantle's crash to 14th place in 2023.
But the Dockers pulled a surprise on Thursday by announcing a one-year extension for their head coach, tying him to the club until the end of 2025.
It means the 43-year-old has two more years to prove he can lead Fremantle to a period of prolonged success.
The short nature of the extension has raised eyebrows, but Garlick insisted the club had an "amazing amount" of faith in Longmuir and were keen for him to stay "well beyond" 2025.
"That's what we're hopeful of," Garlick told reporters on Thursday.
"We feel we've got the man that we genuinely believe in, for the next two seasons at the very least.
"We're optimistic and hopeful it will be far beyond that."
Longmuir expressed his appreciation for the new deal, and felt it would reduce unnecessary distractions heading into the season.
"It allows us to focus on what we need to focus on," Longmuir said.
"It probably stops a little bit of the noise externally.
"It doesn't relieve any pressure. As a senior coach, you go into every game with a level of expectation and pressure.
"It doesn't change that, but it gives some security."
Longmuir was loudly cheered by his player group when the news was announced on Thursday.
"It was very embarrassing," Longmuir said.
"I don't like the attention on myself. It was a pretty awkward couple of minutes.
"But I've always felt the support from the players, from the hierarchy at the football club. It was nice to hear."
Under Longmuir, the Dockers returned to finals in 2022 for the first time since 2015.
Although Fremantle are being widely tipped to miss finals this year following their flop in 2023, optimism within the talent-laden squad remains strong.
The Dockers' season kicks off on Sunday against the Brisbane Lions at Optus Stadium.
Longmuir confirmed former Suns wingman Jeremy Sharp and ex-Demons and Blues defender Oscar McDonald would make their Dockers debut this week.
Defender Brennan Cox (leg) and forward Michael Frederick (hamstring) still need to prove their fitness at training.
The Lions were dealt a blow when star midfielder Lachie Neale (hamstring tightness) was ruled out.
