Wahgunyah coach Brett Skinner has made the difficult decision to stand down as senior coach.
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Skinner addressed the playing group at Saturday night’s best and fairest count after taking the Lions to a top-two finish with co-coach Jamie Seymour this season, before the side was eliminated in the second week of finals.
A third year in the senior coaching job was optional for Skinner who had to weigh up family and work commitments before declining.
But Skinner has vowed to stay involved with the club in a different capacity.
“I signed off on Saturday night with a heavy heart, but I honestly couldn’t see myself fitting in the time that I did the first two years,” Skinner said.
“I’ve been in a coaching role at Wahgunyah for three years and the three years before that I was at Corowa in a coaching role.
“Six years without a break gets a bit more demanding and unfortunately for me and the time I need with my young family now, it makes it tough.
“I absolutely love the club and will be heavily involved.”
Skinner admitted his goal was to make sure the club was in a better position than when he first arrived.
“I can sit here comfortably now and say that it is,” he said.
“The club is in a great position to progress forward and will taste success in the near future.”
While Skinner said it was unfortunate the Lions were unable to win a match in this year’s finals series, the young group has gained valuable experience from what was the club’s first finals appearance since 2011.
“I think our average age was 21-and-a-half, but if the core bunch of guys can stick together next year with a few new recruits, it can only mean onwards and upwards,” he said.
“There’ll be two or three that will go back to Corowa who came over two or three years ago when Wahgunyah started it’s transition.
“At the end of the day, that’s where they started their footy and they’ll always be welcome back.”
Wahgunyah has yet to announce Skinner’s replacement, but the outgoing mentor believes the position could be easily filled by someone already at the club.
“Our assistant coach this year Sam Burdon would be more than capable to take on the role,” Skinner said.
“Whether or not that’s a sole coach or a co-coach and we find someone else to help him.”
Matt Grantham won the best and fairest, going back-to-back ahead of runner-up Kodee Lowe.
“To win it this year in a side that came second is a great achievement,” Skinner said.
“Both guys had fantastic years, but unfortunately for Kodee he’s set for 12 months out with an ACL.”