The Fremantle Dockers and Ross Lyon have agreed to terms that will see the senior coach at the club through to the end of the 2020 season.



Lyon, who steered the club to its maiden grand final appearance in 2013, four finals series in succession and an inaugural minor premiership in 2015, originally joined the club on a four-year deal for the start of the 2012 season.



In March 2014, on the eve of his third season at Fremantle, Lyon signed a two-year contract extension through to the end of season 2017.



Fremantle CEO Steve Rosich announced the new contract extension, which now sees Lyon commit to the club for the next five years, at the club’s 2016 season launch on Thursday at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.



No excuses: Lyon



The function was attended by more than 800 guests, including members, corporate partners, players and staff.



“Ross is a very experienced and capable senior coach and we are delighted to announce today, as we officially launch our 2016 season, that the club and Ross have agreed to a three-year contract extension which will see Ross at the club through to the end of the 2020 AFL season,” Rosich said.



“This important decision enables us to take a long-term view across our football operations and how we best support our players for today and for the future.



“Apart from securing the services of our highly regarded and experienced senior coach, it allows the club and Ross to plan with certainty well into the future for our football operations, including the coaching team, players and support staff.



“It is worth noting that by 2020, Ross will have completed his ninth season as senior coach of the Fremantle Dockers and the club will have been at its world class new home base at Cockburn Central West for four years and have completed its third home and away season at the new Perth Stadium at Burswood.”



Lyon working hard after contract extension



Lyon, who in recent media interviews has mentioned how settled his family was in WA, said Fremantle was still building as a club.



“We are not yet at the point where we want to be as an AFL club,” he said.



“The key people at Fremantle - across the board, executive, playing group and staff - are united by their drive and determination to build a great club.



“Great clubs win premierships and we are clearly focused on achieving that aim.”