Outer East FN: Leigh McCombe steps down as coach at Yarra Junction

An Outer East Football Netball club has had a change of coach and it will soon have a player retirement. Details...

Jayden Welch, who’s taken over as Yarra Junction coach, talks to the players in Round 7. Picture: Supplied

Busy work commitments and a sore body will spell the end of Leigh McCombe’s time — as coach and player — at Yarra Junction.

The 38-year-old stood down as senior coach last month, handing the reins to Jayden Welch.

The curtain will come down on his playing days next week when he plays “one last game’’, against Powelltown — “the Prime Train game” — on June 21.

“I’ve got two businesses. It just got way too busy,’’ McCombe said on Tuesday.

“So I handed it over to Jay (Welch), who’s quite a capable senior coach. He’s a good mate of mine.

“I will play my last game against Powelltown and then I’ll retire...one last game, my body’s cooked, I’m 38. I have nothing left in the tank really.’’

Yarra Junction wished McCombe well in a club statement: “The lines of communication have been open at all times and we 100% support Leigh in his decision. We thank Leigh for his dedication and service to the club.’’

Yarra Junction's Leigh McCombe. Picture: Supplied.

A premiership player and prolific goal kicker at Yarra Junction, McCombe said he wakes up sore every morning, a legacy of a long footy career.

“It’s been awesome, I got a fair bit our of my career, heaps out of it,’’ he said.

“I probably played over 250 games and kicked a fair few goals, had a bit of fun and won a few flags. It’s been good, can’t complain.’’

He hopes to finish on a high next week.

“Hopefully get the win, have a few beers after it and then sail off into the sunset,’’ he said.

“My missus keeps saying, ‘you’ve retired three times already, is this one serious?’

“I said this one is serious. I am not playing after this.

“A few of the guys have hit me up, ‘just play the rest of the year’. And I’m like, ‘if you guys understood just how sore I woke up you would know it’s not a good idea’.’’

McCombe backed Welch to take the club forward.

“Jay came back to help out...he was happy to step up and take it over for the rest of the year,’’ he said.

“What the club does after that I’m not a hundred percent sure whether it will be Jay or not but he’s happy to take over for at least the rest of the year.’’

Yarra Junction is yet to crack it for a win in OEFN Division 1 this season, not helped by injuries and illness.