Owen advised the club during the season that he would be stepping down from coaching duties, due to other commitments.
He said 2023/2024 was certainly a challenging period for the club, but with some seriously hard work by the team and club, it was great to see the Roos fill sides in every grade, every week and put themselves in a strong position to build on in season 2025.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my time coaching Corowa-Rutherglen Football Netball Club,” he told The Free Press.
“Whilst it has been one of the most challenging periods in my football career, it has been one of my most rewarding, capped off with the win against Wodonga Raiders. To see what it meant to the players, the club and the community, the emotions and celebrations rivalled that of the grand final wins I've been involved in.
“But none of this would have been at all possible without the support of the other coaches, the players and the club as a whole, so I am really appreciative of all of them.”
But ultimately, the popular outgoing coach said, it “will be nice to be able to wander down to John Foord Oval in years to come to watch the footy and know I played a small part in making this possible”.
Corowa Rutherglen Football Netball Club President Graham Hosier said Owen did “a fantastic job under the circumstances”.
“Steve probably had the hardest football job in Australia and did it,” Mr Hosier said. “We always knew it was going to be difficult. He did what I asked him to.”
An announcement on the Roos’ senior coaching job for next season is imminent. A story will appear in next week’s edition of The Free Press.
