Dederang-Mount Beauty coach Jack Neil will step down at the end of the season.
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Neil, who is in his second year at the helm, has informed the club of his decision so the Bombers can "fast-track" their rebuild.
There were fears Dederang-Mount Beauty could fold after the club held a crisis meeting to address a drastic shortage of players and volunteers on the eve of the 2017 season.
The Bombers only won five matches from 2015-2017, all against Wodonga Saints.
But the appointment of Neil for the 2018 season sparked a stunning turnaround.
Neil transformed the league easybeats into a competitive unit in his first season at the helm, winning nine matches and finishing sixth.
The Bombers have four wins and a draw so far this season after losing some experienced players over the summer including best and fairest runner-up Dale Lappin and Will Stefani.
"I actually love coaching the group and there is no dramas and I think we have come a long way in a short period of time," the former Dederang junior said.
"I've had a meeting with the players and the leadership group and we thought if we could attract the right coach, we would be able to speed up the rebuilding process and achieve success quicker.
"We agreed to explore that so the club got a list together of potential candidates and are talking to those people at the moment.
"Just that injection of a coach who can recruit a few players, a different voice and has what it takes to take the group to the next step of playing finals."
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Neil said he was unsure if he would play on again next season.
The 34-year-old has played close to 150 matches with the Bombers and coached Federal to the flag in 2016.
"I haven't really thought that far ahead to be honest," he said.
"I'd love to keep playing if my body would hold up.
"Obviously Dederang is close to my heart and I want to see them succeed more than anything.
"That's the main reason that I'm stepping aside, so that can happen."
Neil was quick to downplay his role in the Bombers' rebuild.
"The best part of coaching Dederang is it's a really player led group," he said.
"The playing group is really invested and a great bunch of blokes to coach.
"That was one of our objectives, to get good people back involved in the footy club.
"I could easily coach for another five-years with the crew that we have got.
"I can't speak highly enough of the committee and the volunteers we have."
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