Louder told the players of his decision after Ararat's semi final loss to the Warrack Eagles earlier this month.

"I just think after five years coaching under 17s, reserves and seniors that it was time for a change for myself and the majority of the group that I've had all the way through that period," Louder told The Ararat Advertiser.

"It is the right time for me and for them to hear ideas and instructions from some one else."

Louder began coaching at the Rats in 2010 as head of the under 17s, with Jake Miocic his assistant.

The roles were reversed in 2011 with Miocic leading the juniors and Louder being his assistant while also taking on the reserves' coaching role.

He continued his position with the reserves again in 2012 and for the past two seasons has been joint-coach of the seniors with Hosking.

Louder said looking back there have been a number of highlights during his time at Ararat.

"Apart from this season, probably the first year of coaching under 17s was the most satisfying year," he said.

"Going in I hadn't coached for 11 years and I'd never coached juniors before. The 17s had been quite successful leading up to that period and had quite a large group of boys.

"The season unfolded, we won every game, won the flag and there was not one bit of trouble from a player, parent or supporter. It was just the most easiest year to coach - a real pleasure.

"There was only one selection dilemma which was in the grand final and that was a senior player of the group coming back, who I decided to leave out. Other than that it was an easy flowing year with no off field or on field dramas."

This season the Rats' senior team exceeded the expectations of many throughout the Wimmera by finishing fourth with nine wins for the year and a surprise appearance in the second week of finals.

Louder said getting to know his players more and forming friendships is one of the most rewarding aspects of coaching.

"I think the last two years of coaching seniors overall has definitely been another highlight," he said.

"Especially this year because the group did grow and develop probably a lot more than I thought it would have and that was helped by the inclusions of Dan (Mendes), Beau (Cosson) and Tyler (Cronin).

"To finish as well as we did I think was a pretty good result given where we were 12 months ago or even two years ago when David and I took on the job.

"The playing group have embraced what David and I have asked of them and that is why we have gone as well as we have this year - the player's have believed in what we have told them.

"I still say you don't have to be a great coach, you just have to be a great seller of a product.

"David and I had a product and the players bought into what we were selling and that is why we are in the situation we are in now.

"It is now up to the next lot of coaches and players to keep believing and Hock to keep selling his product."

The duo first formed a coaching partnership while Louder was in charge of the Rats' reserves, with Hosking joining him as an assistant.

In their first season as joint senior coaches Ararat won four games and finished seventh on the ladder.

"I have always had a lot of time and respect for David ever since he coached me back in the late 80s out at Tatyoon," Louder said.

"I have always had that desire to coach with him and he has taught me a lot because we are completely different.

"Hock is more methodical and planned, whereas I like to fly by the seat of my pants, very little is written down or recorded - I like to go with things off the top of my head.

"In that way it has been a good partnership, I think we have worked very well together.

"I just hope whoever David coaches with from here on in, I hope that he picks his right team around him so that he can still have that good working relationship."

Louder said he would like to still be involved at the Ararat Football-Netball Club in some capacity next year.

Hosking has re-committed to coach the Rats' senior team again in 2015, however the make up of the coaching panel is yet to be confirmed.

Ararat president Bill Bell said the final announcement of coaches would be made prior to the commencement of pre-season training in November.