Nirranda, Russells Creek and Old Collegians have already begun their search for new coaches, eyeing a rise up the ladder in 2014.

Winless Old Collegians has made public its wish to lure a playing coach from outside the club to replace co-coaches Nathan Forth and Jamie McKenzie.

Forth and McKenzie have received high praise this season for their efforts with a young and under-strength playing list.

But there is an acknowledgement at Davidson Oval that the Warriors need to attract fresh faces — possibly from the Hampden league — to rise up the ladder.

“We’re out there chasing a coach at the moment, as you can imagine,” club president Mark Toleman said.

“We need an on-field playing coach from outside the club.

“(Nathan and Jamie) know to go forward we’ve got to find someone from outside our club.”

Toleman said Old Collegians needed experienced players to lead the way next season and beyond.

The Warriors’ juniors are regular finalists, with the under 17½ team playing in a qualifying final this weekend having lost just three matches for the season.

“We’ve got a good under-age side so we want to put people around them to keep them and give them the right people to show them the way.”

Nirranda incumbent Brad Wiggins and Russells Creek mentor Darren Little stepped down from the helm after their round 18 matches at the weekend.

Both clubs, on the fringe of finals, are also looking outside their ranks for a new leader.

Nirranda president Anthony Foster praised the efforts of Wiggins during the past three seasons.

“He’s done a great job, the club was very happy with him,” he said.

“We had a banner for him (at the weekend) with ‘thank you Brad for a job well done’, which he has.

“He’s been a good leader for the young ones and a decent bloke. 

‘‘He said he’ll still be around the club, watching and barracking.”

Foster said the Blues’ pending redevelopment of their headquarters had created “positive vibes” at the club.

On the field, an influx of young talent means whoever takes over the role will have a lot of potential to work with.

A key forward, key defender and ruckman are on their recruiting wish-list.

“We’ve spoken to a number of people and we have some interested,” Foster said.

“We lost four games under 11 points. 

‘‘Had we won those we’d be knocking on the door of the five.

“We know we are competitive, we know we are improving.”

Russells Creek chairman of football Glenn Bidmade likewise thanked Little for his service over two seasons.

“He did an excellent job, for sure, just didn’t have the cattle,” he said.

“It was a pity he couldn’t get on the ground more than he did.”

Bidmade said the Kangaroos preferred a playing coach but would not rule out a non-playing mentor.

They hope to recruit a key forward to replace Little, another frontline onballer and outside speed through the middle.

“We’d be looking down that path for sure,” Bidmade said.

‘‘We’ve had talks with Darren and he’s given us a direction where we should be going.”

South Rovers’ Brendan Whelan, Deakin University’s Trent Anderson, Timboon Demons’ Brendan Hickey and East Warrnambool’s Paul Butters will remain coaching.

afawkes@fairfaxmedia.com.au