SOUTH Warrnambool is on the hunt a fourth coach in four seasons after Nigel Kol stepped aside on Thursday night.
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The 2011 Roosters premiership mentor announced his decision at training.
He will lead the club in its final-round clash against Hamilton Kangaroos at Friendly Societies’ Park on Saturday.
Kol returned to the Roosters’ helm this season, taking on the task of guiding an inexperienced but talented South Warrnambool list.
He said work commitments – he’s real estate agent – was the main catalyst for his decision to step down.
“Every second weekend I work Saturday mornings,” Kol said.
“My life on a Saturday morning was manic.”
Kol wants to remain involved at South Warrnambool in some capacity.
“My son plays up there so I want to support the club in anyway I can,” he said.
Kol said he was proud to play a role in the Roosters’ development, highlighting Jeremy Stacey and Jeremy Bolden as two players who’ve impressed under his tutelage this season.
“I will miss the Saturday stuff, I love the Saturday stuff because I love working with the kids,” he said.
“I will miss working with our assistants… and our senior players, I’ll miss liaising with them.”
Kol, who committed to South Warrnambool with a handshake agreement, said he was excited to see two more teenagers debut in his last game in charge.
Nathan Lucas and James Edmonds – players he coached at under 16 level – will line up against the Kangaroos.
In other selection news, Portland mentor Luke Crane is in doubt to coach against Cobden after having his appendix removed on Tuesday night.
Crane was sent to Hamilton for surgery.
“It wasn’t too much fun – it was probably the worst day of my life,” he said of the pain.
Crane said Chris Finlayson – the Tigers’ under 18.5 coach – would lead the seniors if he was unable to travel for the game.
Warrnambool has lost midfielders Brendan Moore (ankle) and Tim McIntyre (knee) for its clash against North Warrnambool Eagles at Bushfield Recreation Reserve.
Port Fairy defender Sam Rudolph (unavailable) will miss the Seagulls’ must-win battle against Terang Mortlake.