A STRAIGHT-sets exit from the finals has provided Leeton-Whitton coach Damian Lang with the motivation required to take on the job for another season.
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Lang yesterday announced he will stay in the top job at the Crows but revealed it will be his final year in the role.
Leeton-Whitton has already re-signed key Tasmanian duo Ben Curley and Callum Garvey but remains in negotiations with club best-and-fairest winner Bryce O'Garey.
Unfinished business proved decisive when it came to decision time for Lang.
"I'll be going again," Lang said.
"It was more about what I wanted to do, I've been coaching for seven years since I've been back and it was whether I could find the hunger to go again.
"That's pretty easy to find when you finish second and go out in straight sets.
"So I'm keen to go one more year and that will pull me up."
Lang did a good job to take Leeton-Whitton from seventh in 2011 to finals this season, despite the Crows' poor finish to the season.
Leeton-Whitton is expected to lose Jamie Broadbent and Matt Robertson to retirement, while promising forward Grant Commins will leave for university.
Lang is keen for Ben Woods to have an active role in the club after shoulder surgery, and is confident Will Overs will stay with the club.
"It's very important that we get all the players from this year back on board," Lang said.
"We'll be getting around the players in the next week or so to see who's staying and who's going.
"We need to recruit in a few key areas. We certainly need a couple of forwards."
Meantime, Farrer League club Coleambally has reappointed Andrew McGown as captain-coach of the Blues.
McGown was struck down with a knee injury for the second consecutive season but is hopeful of getting back on field for Coleambally next year.
McGown replaced Shaun Brooker this season and will be looking to improve the Blues' wooden spoon finish.
McGown's appointment completes the Farrer League coaching puzzle for next season, while Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong will be the final Riverina Football League club to announce its coach.
AFL Riverina’s coaching puzzle
RFL
Narrandera - Shaun Brooker and Jim Rice
CAK- Shane Lenon
Coolamon - Matt Hard
Leeton-Whitton - Damian Lang
Wagga Tigers - Tom Power
Griffith - Guy Orton
GGGM -
MCUE - Nathon Irvin
Turvey Park - Chris Cerato
Farrer League
Temora - Mark Kruger
TRYC - Mick Mazzocchi
Marrar - Clint Taylor
EWK - Chris Jackson
North Wagga - Steve Barnes
CSU - Brett Garrett
Northern Jets - Jamie Grintell
Coleambally - Andrew McGown
