After three seasons in charge of the club, Clinton Gilson has urged the Blues to start exploring their options for next season.

Gilson has guided the competition heavyweight into the past two grand finals.

“If the club can’t get anyone else I’ll do it again but the time is right to have a good look,” he said yesterday.

“You don’t want to leave it too late.

“‘Barny’ is already looking and you want to give yourself every opportunity to find the right person for the job.

“Mitta is a very successful club so it’s an appealing job.”

Gilson believes last year’s grand finalists should consider playing and non-coaching coaches and expects the majority of this year’s players to stay with the club next season.

The Blues are sitting in seventh position on the ladder after successive wins against Tallangatta and Wahgunyah in the past fortnight and take on another finals contender in Barnawartha at Barnawartha on Saturday.

Mitta United president Mac Paton said Gilson had made a major impact in his three years at the club.

“Clint has been a terrific coach and clubman,” Paton said.

“My view is that we are in a pretty sound position and we are happy with the way things are going.

“We had three teams in grand finals last season.

“At this stage we think it’s a healthy situation to look ahead and see what options may arise.”

Gilson, who coached Rand-Walbundrie for four years before taking over at Mitta United, believes the Blues are starting to play their best football after an injury-ravaged start to the season.

They take on the Tigers, Kiewa-Sandy Creek, Dederang-Mt Beauty, Thurgoona, Rutherglen, Wodonga Saints, Beechworth and Chiltern in the run home.

“We have had a lot of injuries which have hurt us but we are getting players back and the next month will tell a tale,” Gilson said.

“Our form has been pretty good over the past few weeks and we will need that to continue against a good side like Barnawartha.”