The Goannas announced the re-signing of Cohalan this week, along with their intention to implement an AFL style succession plan.

MCUE will look to secure an accomplished playing assistant coach over the off-season, that will take over from Cohalan at the end of 2018.

“Next year will be my last year in the role,” Cohalan said.

“We’ve sat down and had a discussion, we want to see if we can land ourselves a really good playing assistant coach next year, with the vision of taking over as coach from me in 2019.”

Cohalan was stoked to get another season in the top job.

“Absolutely, obviously it’s my home club and it’s an absolute privilege and an honour to be able to coach the first grade team,” he said.

“Really happy that the club saw fit to give me another year, for sure.”

Cohalan is in his second season in charge of MCUE, but his first as the sole coach.

He and Nathon Irvin guided the Goannas to a preliminary final appearance last year, before Cohalan took over solely this season.

MCUE sit in second position, only behind ladder leaders Collingullie-Glenfield Park on percentage, heading into Saturday’s final round of the home and away season.

Cohalan believes he has the club well-placed.

“We’ve had a pretty good season,” he said.

“We’re 13 (wins) and two (losses) at the moment, we’re going to finish in the top three and be playing finals so I think to this point, we’re happy with our progress but we also understand that the whole season is just about to start again in the finals in about a week’s time.”

While there is still everything to achieve in 2017, Cohalan is okay with handing the coaching reins over at the end of next year.

“I am, we’ve had a good chat about it, pretty much from the start of this season, to be honest,” he said.

“I would coach Mango every year to the day I die because I love the club, I love coaching and I love the challenge of helping the boys improve, especially at my home club.

“But I’m also a realist, and understand the best thing for the group is to have a new voice after this. I’ve been involved for a lot of years, but obviously been in charge for three years, at the end of next year.

“I don’t think I’d be doing the right thing by the players, or the club, if I didn’t allow them to hear from a different voice.”

Both MCUE and Cohalan believes a succession plan will work effectively.

“Absolutely, I think it’s the right idea.” he said.

“I’m fully on board with the decision, it’s a completely mutual agreement. We’ve started to look around and have a chat to a few people around the place but providing we can find the right player and leader, we think it is definitely the way the club needs to move into the future.”

MCUE face Narrandera in the final round on Saturday at Narrandera Sportsground.