The former Collingullie-Glenfield Park star has been the bench coach for Tom Yates this season and will take over the senior coaching role next year.

Once an arch-enemy of the Magpies, Aiken hopes to lead the club on a march back up the ladder.

"I wouldn't put my hand up if I wasn't excited by it," Aiken said.

"It's going to be a challenge for me. I've had a good look at what the club needs for the side to get back into finals contention. We haven't recruited anyone yet and it's not always that easy but we're going to do our best to do so."

Aiken, 41, played more than 400 games with the Demons, including coaching them to three grand final appearances from 2005 to 2007. He won eight premierships as a player (and was best-on-ground in four deciders) as well as five league medals.

But having joined The Rock-Yerong Creek mid-last year (for 12 games in a final year of senior footy), Aiken found himself at home. He stayed on this year assisting Yates while kicking 46 goals in 11 games for TRYC's finals-bound reserves team.

"It's a great club. A lot of the blokes around the club were there when I played against them at the 'Gullie. Now, they've become close friends and they've helped me out and been more than welcoming," he said.

"It's funny how a lot of blokes I played against, I'll have an opportunity to be their coach and be their leader and hopefully I can instil something I've learnt over the years that can help them as a footballer as well."

TRYC are likely to miss finals for the second year in a row but Aiken said the atmosphere at the club, and the retention of some 15 players, including Cody and Jesse Cool, Cody Bramich, Cooper Diessel and Mitch Stephenson, convinced him that there's a foundation to build on.

"They're loving what the club has got to offer. Obviously the winning side of it hasn't been there but it shows the culture is heading in the right direction," Aiken said.

"I want to use what Tommy's done the last two years because he's done some terrific work... we just need to add a few top quality players to support them and give them a bit more growth."

Aiken paid tribute to Yates' efforts.

"He's done a great job and been terrific to work with. I've worked pretty closely with him the last two years and it'd be great if he was here again next year. (If he is) he'll be a driving force for us getting back to finals. But he's done a terrific job for the club," he said.

Aiken's coaching experience includes involvement with Greater Western Sydney Giants Academy squads in recent years, and he also took charge of the Farrer League representative team this year which went a long way towards restoring pride in the competition despite a one-point loss to the Hume League.

TRYC president Peter Gerhardy said they're thrilled to have Aiken take on the top job.

"He's been associated with our club for a couple of years and has an exceptional playing record so we think he'll bring a wealth of experience to our club," Gerhardy said.

Gerhardy said the Pies were also pleased to lock in one of their favourite sons, Bryan Ball, to continue coaching the seconds next season adding that that continuation is an important part of the club's stability.

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