The new partnership comes after premiership-winning coach Frank Alampi made the decision to step down after three years in the job.

Alampi cited burnout as the reason for his decision. Leeton United requested he rethink the move but Alampi is keen to take a step back this year. He will stay on the committee.

Morgan coached Wagga City Wanderers for two seasons in 2018-19 before returning to Griffith FC, formerly Riverina Rhinos, where he has spent the past two years as technical director then coach of under 18s and 13s NPL teams.

Jones coached Leeton's reserve grade team this year and will step up to the top job alongside Morgan, who work together and have a close relationship.

Morgan jumped at the opportunity to return to senior coaching at such a strong club.

"I know Rhys quite well, I bought him over to play years ago, and we got talking. He asked whether I would like to go in with him and I thought it would be perfect," Morgan said.

"Frank (Alampi) did a good job, you can see how well the team has been doing. So hopefully we can come in and help them keep going. We're not going to change too much.

"It will be good to get back into coaching seniors. I've played and coached against Leeton and they were always a hard team to come up against and with the success they've had in the last couple of years, they've taken the next step.

"I'd be nave to look to go in and change everything. They're doing so well, their system works, they are a family-orientated club with plenty of good young players. I'll be looking to help continue that on."

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Alampi led Leeton to its first title in 27 years in 2020. They were positioned second last year, with just one loss after 13 rounds, when the season was called off due to COVID.

Alampi, after giving his full commitment for three eventful seasons, said he needed to step back.

"I needed a break. The club's been really good about it, they asked me to reconsider but I'm burnt out," Alampi said.

"With COVID, I don't know if everyone recognises how much extra stress it put on, and it's gotten to me. It was a bit of a nightmare.

"I'll miss it. I'm pretty competitive and I probably pushed the boys a bit too much but I'm proud of what we achieved."

Alampi is yet to decide if he will have a run around in third grade, but if he chooses not to, it will be the first time in 35 years he has not played or coached.

He remains on the club's committee and is confident Leeton are headed in the right direction under Morgan and Jones.

"I think it's great, a really good appointment," he said.

"Ross has a lot of experience, probably a different outlook to me, but he'll be really good for the club.

"I was pretty confident (last year). I thought we were going okay, considering the players we lost from the year before."

Leeton expect to begin pre-season training later this month.

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