Collingullie-Glenfield Park coach Luke Gestier will step down at the season's end.
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After three seasons in charge at Crossroads Oval, Gestier has decided to vacate the role at the end of the Demons' current campaign.
The 29-year-old led Collingullie-GP to the Riverina League premiership last season but believes the time is right for change, for both he and the club.
The Demons will miss finals this season for the first time in 19 years and Gestier concedes the group needs a fresh voice and approach.
The club met with Gestier a month ago, where no firm decision was made either way, but the Demons' decline in recent weeks made his mind up for him.
"Over that month, and even a bit before to be honest, it kept coming back to when I really thought about it, it is the right time to vacate the position," Gestier said.
"I don't think I can give it 100 per cent, or what it takes to be successful, for another year."
Despite knowing he is making the right call, Gestier said it was still an extremely difficult decision to make.
"Absolutely. I knew it was the right call, I know it's the right time for it but don't get me wrong, there is still part of me that is upset about it," he said.
"But in time I think it will be pretty evident to myself that it was the right thing to do."
Gestier has played seven of the Demons' 12 games this season with suspension and injury keeping him sidelined for the remainder.
Gestier, a key forward with a strong track record, is unsure what the future holds for him.
"I've got no idea. Going into coaching has definitely been an eye opener but I've loved it," he said.
"Playing wise, things didn't come to fruition as much as I'd like. The coaching flame still burns and whether it is reignited one year, I'm not going to rule it out but I want to focus on playing the best I can.
"For now though, I'm committed 100 per cent to the rest of our yeah and finishing it off as best as we can."
Gestier took the Demons to a grand final in his first year, before winning the flag in his season season.
They sit in sixth with four games remaining this year.
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