Brad Scott thought long and hard about the new contract he was offered over the pre-season.

While he wanted to sign on for another three years, he also needed to weigh up what was best for the club.

“I’m flattered they (Kangaroos’ board) thought that (an extension) was the way to go, but it also took a lot of reflection on my behalf to think what is best for these players,” Scott told the Herald Sun.

“Because at some time, it will be the best thing for them to be coached by someone else.”

Scott has been at the helm at Arden Street since 2010 and signed an extension that takes him through until the end of 2018. At the completion of that deal, he will become North’s second longest serving coach after 9 years in charge. Only Wally Carter will have coached the side for longer with 11 years from 1948-1953 and 1958-1962.

Winning a premiership is always the ultimate goal, but Scott said if that can’t be done in his time, he wants to ensure the next in line for the job can break through.

“I’m genuine when I say I want to leave a legacy for the next custodians of this footy club, that we genuinely hope is a premiership legacy and that is what we are striving for,” Scott said.

“But not at the expense of what this football club has been in in the past, and that is success in the 70’s, almost out of business in the 80s. Success in the 90s and almost relocating in the 2000s.

“We are really determined that the next decade is not going to be like that.”