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KAIN Robins' stint as coach of Charlton will finish with the Navies having been just one step away from playing in a North Central league grand final.
Robins had coached the Navies for the previous two years and would have done so again this year had the season not been cancelled due to COVID.
But with a young family as well as the travel factor, Robins, who is based in Maiden Gully, has finished up as coach of the Navies, with his final game being last year's 23-point preliminary final loss to Birchip-Watchem.
"I've been travelling for eight of the past 10 years (also stints at Hopetoun and the Southern Mallee Giants) and it has taken its toll," Robins said on Saturday.
"It's bitterly disappointing that we didn't get the chance to play this year. We made the prelim final last year and had recruited well, but, unfortunately, it didn't work out the way we planned.
"I've spent a lot of time weighing up about continuing or not, but with my kids now that year older and my wife having gone back to work full time, it's fairly hectic come night time, and with the travel, it's just a bit too much now."
Robins, now aged 36, has long been one of the region's star key position players who won the Bendigo league's Michelsen Medal in 2006 and played in both of Eaglehawk's back-to-back premiership teams of 2007-08, while he was the centre half-back in the BFNL's 2000s Team of the Decade.
Robins kicked 70 goals across his two seasons at Charlton - 37 in 2018 and 33 last year.
While he has called time on his coaching stint at Charlton, Robins is keen to play on somewhere without needing to spend too much time in the car.
"My travelling days are over. I've just been enjoying the break and really haven't given next year too much thought," Robins said.
Robins had a 16-18 record in his two seasons at the helm of the Navies, finishing 7th in 2018 and third last year.
MEANWHILE, former Donald player Rohan Brown is returning to the Royals as their new coach in the North Central league.
Brown was a member of Donald's last premiership team in 2006, while in 2018 he coached Beaufort to the Central Highlands flag. He was also coach of the Central Highlands inter-league team that lost to North Central by 41 points last year.
"Rohan brings a wide range of coaching expertise and skills from high levels of football and the ability to communicate with players to get the best out of them," the Royals said in their coaching announcement on Saturday.
"His understanding of the game, communication and coaching style creates a player-driven style of football. Player development right across the club is a strong focal point for Rohan and he is looking forward to working with our senior and junior lists."
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