Farrer League

KEEP your ear to the ground - it's that time of year again.

The rumour mill is running hot with news of football coaches coming and going from every club in every code.

No one is safe from the gossip.

In the media, it's our job to determine which rumours are true, which are false and which are downright loony.

And let me tell you there's plenty of them flying around.

With that said, it's timely to provide an in-depth update on the Farrer League coaching scene for 2015.

Eight clubs will need coaches next year and only two have already locked one in.

East Wagga-Kooringal (Gavin McMahon) and Coleambally (Mitch Carroll) are the only ones to confirm their choice of coach past the current season.

The following pieces are a mixture of word from the club in question, whispers heard at the bar, and the opinion of yours truly.

Keep in mind only the clubs themselves know exactly what is going on behind their own closed doors.

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TEMORA

2014 coach: Mark Kruger

Breakdown: "I never ask my clients to judge me on my winnings; I ask them to judge me on my losses because I have so few". The line used by Leonardo DiCaprio's character Jordan Belfort in The Wolf Of Wall Street can be applied to Temora's saviour, Kruger. The Kangaroos have lost a handful of games since Kruger appeared on the scene in 2012 and are well in the running for a third consecutive premiership this season. He originally signed a two-year coaching contract and extended it midway through his first year at the club. With two flags, and possibly a third on the way, Temora could hardly ask for more from the man. Kruger yesterday informed The Daily Advertiser the club has left the decision in his hands for 2015 and he plans to make a call at the end of the season. He also said he and his fiance were intent on "staying in the area"...an invitation to other local clubs, perhaps? No one wants to outstay their welcome, and my feeling is Kruger will be content with what he has achieved at Temora.

Stay or go: Go

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MARRAR

2014 coach: Clint Taylor

Breakdown: Taylor took the Bombers to a semi final in his debut year as coach and now has them top of the table, equal on points with powerhouse Temora. Marrar has added some quality players this year and look like giving the flag a real shake. If Taylor happens to win a premiership it would be hard for the club to let him go. On the other hand, Marrar probably doesn't want to wait until the end of September to tie him down. The club will soon need to take a gamble either way, and it will probably come down to what Clint decides is the best move for him.

Stay or go: Stay

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COLEAMBALLY

2014 coach: Mitch Carroll

Breakdown: Coleambally has wasted no time extending Carroll's contract to include 2015. He put pen to paper a fortnight ago and has already committed to go around again next year. It was a no brainer for the Blues. The club is about to play finals for the first time since joining the Farrer League and Carroll has turned Coleambally into a genuine contender. Having won and coached premierships with Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong previously, Carroll knows how to go all the way.

Stay or go: Stay

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EAST WAGGA-KOORINGAL

2014 coach: Gavin McMahon

Breakdown: McMahon signed a two-year contract at the start of this year and there's no reason for the Hawks to cut him loose prematurely. Pending any dramatic events in the off-season, his job is secure for another year. And if EWK can retain its 2014 list, expect the club to be a force next season.

Stay or go: Stay

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NORTH WAGGA

2014 coach: Nathan Dowdle

Breakdown: As of two weeks ago North Wagga was yet to sit down with Dowdle regarding next season. But unless Wayne Carey puts his hand up for the gig, expect the Saints to announce Dowdle as their 2015 leader in the coming weeks. Having taken on the duties as a 22-year-old last year, Dowdle has earnt the respect and admiration of an entire club. Not only that, but he has North Wagga playing the best football it has for a number of years. The young Saints have knocked off Temora and East Wagga-Kooringal in recent times and are sure to give finals a real shake. If the club can recruit a couple of key position players in the off-season, Dowdle has the tools to turn North Wagga into a Farrer League force in 2015.

Stay or go: Stay

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NORTHERN JETS

2014 coach: Stu Hutchins

Breakdown: It's all but confirmed - Hutchins will hand the coaching reins over as soon as the 2014 season is done. It's not that he hasn't done a decent job with the Jets, but he was only ever really in a caretaker role. The rumour is the club has already found a coach for next year but isn't yet ready to let the cat out of the bag. "A bloke from Geelong", "he played AFL", "he's a non-playing coach" have all been flung around Farrer League circles for the past month or so. But until the Jets are prepared to confirm anything, it's all just a rumour.

Stay or go: Go

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THE ROCK-YERONG CREEK

2014 coach: Dave Pieper

Breakdown: Pieper has done an admirable job with what he had this year. When you lose the number of quality players the Magpies did following last year's grand final you are bound to slide down the ladder. Pieper is a loyal servant and will gladly put his hand up for the job again, but no doubt the club will want to mix it up for 2015. Unsure whether they will look in-house or aim for a high profile playing coach from elsewhere.

Stay or go: Go

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CSU

2014 coach: Brett Garrett

Breakdown: A season like the one CSU is currently going through can be a living nightmare. From an outsider's perspective, it must be a battle to show up at training twice a week. Garrett has now had three years coaching the Bushpigs and it's fair to say 2014 will be his last dig. The club will be looking to start fresh and Garrett no doubt needs a break. That's not to say, however, that he won't pop up as coach somewhere else next year.

Stay or go: Go