The star fullback’s announcement came just minutes after Junee excitement machine Daniel Foley's blistering pace and a gritty defensive effort ended the Thunder's season with a 24-6 defeat.

Jeffery has coached the club for two years, but said he would be happy to stay as a player only.

"There were a few things that we didn't agree on and we're starting to agree a bit more on things now and it's gone a long way to keeping me here," he said.

It was a frustrating finish to the season for former NRL player, after he was penalised in the first half while the Thunder had possession.

"I'm just going to say it, there were some poor decisions out there," Jeffery said of referee Scott Muir's performance.

"We got a bloke sent off by the same referee three weeks ago for throwing a punch. They do the same thing and they leave him on the field and just penalise him."

However, it was Albury's clunky attack which proved its downfall, after dominating possession in the first half. Junee, admittedly, was not much better, but made the most of its chances to grab a 12-0 lead at half-time.

Foley then dominated the second stanza and he was the only player who looked capable of busting the line. He produced two second-half tries and a series of slashing runs for Junee.

For his first try, the 23-year old flyer bamboozled the visitors' defence from dummy-half and raced away, before coming to Jeffery.

It was the apprentice taking on the master, and the young gun won the battle, powering past Jeffery, the player generally rated Group 9’s best player over the past five years. Interestingly, Jeffery was named fullback for Riverina this year, with Foley relegated to the wing.

"Benny's probably set the standard for fullbacks for the past few years down here and I reckon it's been good for 'Foles' because it's given him something to aim for and take his game to the next level," sidelined Junee coach Matt Hands said.

"If he was a little taller, I think he'd be down there playing NRL at the moment.”

The match was played at junior ground Loftus Oval, the equivalent of playing a Thunder final at North Albury's Sarvaas Park. Junee's Laurie Daley Oval was unavailable following recent heavy rain.

Albury's rugged second-rower Jon Huggett was outstanding, while lock Dave Cowhan was tireless in attack and defence. Unheralded prop Matt Garness and clever five-eighth Shannon Rupapere also played well.

The Thunder's fourth place finish was a pass mark, but the club needs at least two star players to return as a league powerhouse.