After five years at the helm of the senior team at Dunnstown Football Club, coach Justin Abrams is stepping aside at seasons end.
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The coach told The Courier he had taken the side as far as he could over his time with the club and feels as though ending his coaching duties with the club is the best thing for both parties.
"Five years is a long time as a senior coach," he said.
"I think I've really just run my race at Dunnstown, I've taken the club from 17th to finals and it's probably time for me to step aside and bring someone new in to try and go further."
The past two years have taken its toll on Abrams emotionally, having lost two members of the football club in expected circumstances.
"It's been a pretty challenging five years with (Lachie Poulter's) death last year and (Phil Collins') death the year prior. I've given the club everything I can and haven't really got a lot left."
Arriving at Dunnstown in 2014, Abrams inherited a 17th placed side which he subsequently built into a finals team. He spoke of the significance of breaking the club's finals drought in 2018.
"Last year to actually break through and play finals was really huge for the footy club and the community more importantly."
Abrams said it was difficult to tell his group he was stepping down after growing to close to them across the past five years.
"It's mixed emotions, it's a really tight group and I've made some lifelong mates out there so yes it's a hard decision. Ultimately I didn't get the success I wanted out of the group but (stepping down) is probably the best thing to do for my coaching."
In terms on what's next for the coach, he didn't rule out a move to another community football club however said he would prefer coaching a different level of football.
"I'd never say never (to coaching at another community club) but it'd be very difficult to coach against Dunnstown... my preference would be to go to another level of footy."
Club president Shane Murphey wished Abrams the best outside of the club beyond 2019.
"He's done some fantastic things for the club," Murphey said.
"He's left us in a much better position than when he arrived. We've got a very young list and the work he's done over his five years has made every one of those men a better footy player."
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