Yarrawonga coach Damian Sexton will step down from the helm at the end of this season.
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Sexton told the Pigeons of his intentions at training earlier this week with the club set to start its search for a replacement immediately.
The Finley farmer said the travel was starting to take its toll after three years.
"The 85-kilometre trip is making things a bit tough," Sexton said.
"If I was five minutes up the road, it would be a different story.
"I've loved it.
"I was privileged to be asked to do it.
"I did it because Yarra gave me a great start 30 years ago.
"I've always felt in debt to Neil Davis and Mr Runnalls (Tom senior) and those sort of people."
Yarrawonga finished third and fifth in Sexton's first two seasons in charge at J.C. Lowe Oval with the Pigeons locked in a three-way battle for fifth spot with Wangaratta Rovers and Wodonga Raiders this year.
He took over the top post from Chris Kennedy.
I've always felt in debt to Neil Davis and Mr Runnalls (Tom) and those sort of people
- Damian Sexton
"I've always been a big believer in it's the duty of a coach to tell the club between rounds nine and 12 of their intentions for the following season," he said.
"They need time to look if there is a change.
"Yarra's a fantastic club and I'll be sticking around the place.
"A lot of opposition club coaches say how they envy Yarrawonga.
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"We mightn't be having a lot of success on the ladder at the moment but I reckon we have the best young blokes in the competition and the future is bright.
"I've met a new network of people and coached some great players."
Yarrawonga has been forced to deal with one of the longest injury lists in the league this year with Tyler Bonat and Brandon Symes ruled out of the season.
"Injuries have killed us but you got to be positive and give the kids a chance," he said.
"We aren't out of it yet.
"We'll give it everything we have."
CROSS RETURNS FOR TIGERS
Daniel Cross has been named to make a shock comeback for injury-hit Albury against Wodonga.
Cross, who retired after last year's grand final, is one of six inclusions for the Tigers with Luke Packer and Joel Mackie among the big-name outs for the premiers.
It's believed Cross will play in the second half of the season when free of commitments with Melbourne.
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