In six seasons at the helm, Luke Morgan has led the Saints into finals every year including the 2015 premiership which followed grand final heart-break the previous year.

The 2015 win was Benalla’s first flag since 1973 when the club was in the Ovens and Murray league.

The 29-year-old informed players of his decision to step down on Wednesday night after bowing out of finals in week one despite finishing the season in third spot.

“There will be a new challenge,” Morgan said.

“I’ve got a great passion for coaching and great passion for footy.

“It’s been a very tough decision for me because Benalla and I have worked really well together.

“But it’s time for a new challenge.”

Aside from coaching success, Morgan has built a strong individual resume of honours including a Morrison Medal win and club best and fairest in his first season at Benalla in 2013 and runner-up in the Morrison Medal to team-mate Will Martiniello in 2014.

He was also third in 2016 and recorded another top-10 finish this year with the award jointly won by Benalla’s Sam Martyn and Shepparton's Nik Rokahr.

Morgan is the longest-serving coach in Benalla’s history with his six seasons in charging one than Tim Symes.

Morgan has also coached the Goulburn Valley inter-league team for the past two seasons.

Since Benalla won the flag Kyabram has completed a hat-trick of premierships and will be looking to add a fourth in a row on Sunday against Shepparton.

Kyabram is on a 62-match winning streak with its most recent defeat being the 2015 grand final loss to Benalla.

Morgan confirmed he would coach again in county Victoria next season, but was tight-lipped about his next destination.

The O and M coaching ranks are remarkably stable presently with only North Albury actively searching for a replacement for co-coaches Clint Gilson and Chris Schmidt.

Dean Stone, who will be chasing back-to-back flags on Sunday with Wangaratta, hasn’t publicly committed to another season.

Sam Carpenter stepped down from his co-coaching role at Wangaratta Rovers with Ross Hill recently.