Outgoing Rocherlea coach Lyndon Stubbs says a desire to refresh his playing group is behind his decision to step down from the role.
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The 33-year-old joined the Suburban Tigers in 2012 and took over as coach in 2015, leading his side to three finals series and the 2016 flag.
Stubbs, who missed the final month of the season with an Achilles injury, said he was unsure whether his body would allow him to play on in 2019 but would continue supporting the club.
“I thought the time was probably right (to step down), and I think some of the younger guys that have been playing under me for four years might get more out of a new voice,” he said.
“I don’t walk away without still wanting the best for my players - that’s the main reason I’ve made this decision.”
Stubbs said fostering the growth of young players had been just as rewarding as his side’s 2016 premiership.
“For me, being able to shake someone’s hand on a Thursday night and tell them that they’re going to make their senior debut - that’s a pretty special time.
“We actually had one about four weeks ago (with Brandon Delphin).
“His whole family had been at the club forever and he’d done everything - he’d been the water boy and the boundary umpire and basically grew up at the club.
“He’d been playing really good footy in under-18s and we were able to reward him with a senior jumper.
“Those sort of things - regardless of whether I’ve known that person for 20 minutes or four or five years like young Delph - being able to do that has been a pretty rewarding part of the job.”