Diggers Rest confirms Jamie Lobb is stepping down, locks in new coach for 2025

Jamie Lobb’s seven-year tenure at Diggers Rest will come to an end at the end of the season and the Burras have his replacement already signed up.

Diggers Rest coach Jamie Lobb.

If all goes to plan Jamie Lobb will hang up his magnet board a three-time premiership coach.

The Diggers Rest great announced on Friday he was stepping down after seven years in the top job at Bloomdale Reserve.

At the same time, the Burras revealed Shaun Campbell would be taking over in 2025.

Lobb was elevated to senior coach in 2018, winning the RDFNL premiership in his first season after defeating Riddell by 21 points.

After two seasons wiped out by COVID, Diggers reached the grand final in local footy’s return in 2022 and reclaimed the flag in 2023.

Diggers Rest coach Jamie Lobb. Picture: Josh Chadwick

It hopes to send Lobb off on a high.

President Ben Morse said few had had an impact on the club bigger than Lobb.

“It is with sadness but a sense of pride that we advise Jamie Lobb has decided not to continue as senior coach in season 2025,” Morse said on the club’s Facebook page.

“Jamie and the club have been discussing his tenure throughout the season and while our preference was to maintain Jamie in the role, he has indicated that he would like to spend more time with family.

“Fortunately for the club, Jamie will not be lost to us, and he has committed to staying involved in an off-field role for 2025 and beyond.

“Jamie has an incredible record as senior coach and in the four completed seasons – two cancelled and one pending – we have had two senior premierships, three reserves premierships and a runner-up, which highlights the strength of the club during his reign.

“Jamie has also been a great support to the committee during his tenure and has always worked hard on sponsorship, functions and anything else the club has required of him.

“We feel comfortable in saying that nobody has had a bigger impact on the club since he took over as coach in what has been a very successful period.”

Campbell arrived at Diggers Rest in the summer, crossing from Western league club Parkside.

The gun midfielder is one of local footy’s most decorated player and a premiership coach in his own right.

Campbell was a three-time WFNL league best-and-fairest, two-time club best-and-fairest, league-leading goalkicker, premiership co-captain and grand final medallist with the Magpies.

He also coached Wagga Tigers to a Riverina league premiership, winning a club best-and-fairest, and took home the Central Highlands league medal in 2016 while with Ballan.

He made an explosive start to life as a Burra, kicking 12 goals in his first four games and winning the Grumont Medal as best-on-ground against Macedon on Anzac Day.

Morse is confident he can carry on Lobb’s good work.

“In more positive news, the club is excited to announce that it has locked in current player Shaun Campbell as Jamie’s successor for 2025,” he said.

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“Shaun has a strong reputation as a leader and has had success in previous coaching roles at Wagga Tigers as well as recent experience at the elite level.

“After joining us earlier this year, Shaun has impressed everyone with his football nous, relationship building and commitment to his preparation.

“Shaun and the club are extremely excited about the role and will look to make further announcements about players re-signing, assistant coaches and recruits in the coming weeks.”

Diggers Rest will round out the RDFNL home-and-away season against Melton Centrals on Saturday before an expected qualifying final against Wallan the following week.