Solyom joined the Warriors after round one last season, stepping in under difficult circumstances.

He took on the job after a big round one loss to Ararat and the loss of then coach Colin Macaffer.

Despite not running the pre-season training and coming in after a game had already been played, Solyom did a good job with an injury-struck Stawell side.

He helped the Warriors to seven wins, just one less than their 2017 record. 

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He has also been instrumental in the signing of new players to the club such as Jay Moody as well as the re-signing of the majority of the club’s senior list.

Stawell president Tim Williams said Solyom did an “incredible job in trying circumstances” last year.

“We really thank him for stepping in last year, he did a great job for our footy club,” he said.

“Unfortunately he has moved away for personal reasons. He contacted the committee just after Christmas of his intentions to leave.

“He would have loved to continue doing the job but just isn’t able to. We wish him well.”

The club is in the fortunate position of having a coach already in the position, with joint coach Damian Joiner to assume full responsibility as head coach.

Williams said the club is right behind Joiner.

“Damian has got the club’s full support. We are working hard to try and put a team around him to help him out and provide the resources to him to be able to do the job,” he said.

“It is a hard job coaching footy teams but we have great faith in Damian.”

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Despite losing a joint coach leading into the season, Williams said the build up to the 2019 campaign has been strong.

“We have seen really good numbers at training and the boys are looking really good on the track,” he said.

“We have welcomed Jamie Bach back to the club so it is great to have him in amongst the group again.

“We are also still talking to a couple of players to boost the squad a bit.”

The Warriors will open their 2019 campaign on the road against last year’s runners-up Southern Mallee Giants, before hosting Ararat in the Good Friday blockbuster on April 19.

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