IT WAS not the note Coolamon coach Lew Roberts wanted to go out on.

Despite still being a chance half-way through the last quarter, Coolamon never looked anywhere near its best as it bowed out of the premiership race with a disappointing 19-point loss to Collingullie-Ashmont-Kapooka.

Roberts confirmed after the loss that it was probably his final appearance in his beloved green and white as he will return to Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League club Frankston YCW next year as an assistant coach.

The Hoppers will officially announce Roberts' replacement in coming weeks.

Roberts admitted it was a disappointing way to finish his time at the Hoppers.

"I really wanted to finish on a high note," Roberts said.

"More than anything for all the hard work a lot of people put in, so it is a disappointing way to finish but that's footy.

"I've had a pretty good run and that's the way it is."

Roberts returned for two years.

He enjoyed a premiership in his first year back, but had to settle for third this year when in charge.

Roberts said the premiership made the return to Coolamon worth it.

"That was always the aim, it would have been nice to get another one but that's footy," he said.

"I have really enjoyed my time coming back."

Unfortunately, the Hoppers only managed four goals in yesterday's preliminary final.

Roberts acknowledged it certainly was not good enough.

"It was just one of those games," Roberts said.

"We didn't take our opportunities.

"They were probably a little bit better going forward than us, kicking to advantage and that sort of thing.

"Full credit to them, it wasn't a game that reached any great heights, that's for sure, but they got the win and that's all that matters."

Roberts said third is a fair but frustrating finish for the Hoppers this season.

"We never really got going except for patches for some reason," he said.

"It's really hard to put a finger on it because those patches would be really good then we would drop off for some reason.

"I don't know, it's probably that five per cent thing that we couldn't find this year where as last year it was there."