Leigh Adams reveals his reasons for stepping down as Coburg coach

Former North Melbourne forward Leigh Adams will leave Coburg at season’s end after two years in charge of the VFL club. He explains why in an in-depth interview.

Leigh Adams will step down as Coburg coach at the end of the season. Picture: Hamish Blair

Departing Coburg coach Leigh Adams has revealed the reasons behind his decision to step down and his players’ disappointment.

Adams has decided to exit the VFL club at season’s end after two challenging years in charge at Piranha Park.

The former North Melbourne forward has no concrete plans for 2020 but is hopeful of securing a role at an AFL club.

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Adams said he’d achieved all he could at Coburg and an early decision was best for all parties.

“I would have loved to (see it through). We thought we were going in the right direction,” Adams said.

“From almost non-competitive last year to losing six games by under 17 points, it could have been a really different season for us from a win-loss perspective.

Coburg coach Leigh Adams addresses his players. Picture: Daniel Atamian

“It’s getting pretty tough with the resources, so I thought I got the best out of the group that I could.

“I thought it was best to get it out there as quickly as I could, to the board, and we came to an amicable decision to move on.”

While the Lions have scored just two wins this season, there has been significant improvement.

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The club has suffered narrow losses to Collingwood (three points), Port Melbourne (six), Sandringham (10) and North Melbourne (three) and only three defeats by 10 goals or more.

The 2018 season delivered just one win, a draw and six 10-goal thumpings.

Sam Lowson was touted as a No.1 mid-season draft pick before injury struck, while Marcus Lentini, Luke Bunker and Steve Stroobants are VFL Team of the Year contenders.

Sam Lowson in action for Coburg.

Marcus Lentini in action for Coburg. Picture: Eleanor Armstrong

Coburg also reached 1000 members for the first time in its history this year after having just 280 in 2017.

Adams admitted his players were disappointed but backed them to continue their improvement.

“Obviously a fair bit of disappointment (from the players). That was probably the hardest thing, telling the players,” he said.

“We feel like we’ve improved significantly in the past two years and we would have loved to have continued that journey.

“It wasn’t meant to be but I think they understand where I’m coming from.

“For their sake, I hope the next coach gets the opportunity to keep them together and build on what we’ve done this season.”

Leigh Adams will step down as Coburg coach at season’s end. Picture: Hamish Blair

The Lions face a disruptive 2020 season with a redevelopment of Piranha Park to force them on to the road for much of the year.

After retiring from the AFL, Adams took the reins at Eastern Football League club South Croydon and guided the Bulldogs to their maiden top flight premiership in 2017.

The 31-year-old hopes to continue his journey at AFL level.

“I’d like to get into the AFL system, I’ve been pretty open with that for a while now,” he said.

“The role I would be looking at, if I was lucky enough to get in, would be around the development side of things.

“There’s going to be a few weeks of uncertainty I suppose but I’ll wait and see how that plays out.”

Coburg faces a difficult run home with clashes against Werribee (home), Williamstown (away) and Footscray (home).

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