NFL: Hurstbridge “rocked” by coach Trevor Little’s decision to quit mid-season

HURSTBRIDGE says it has been “rocked” by coach Trevor Little’s resignation as it weighs up whether to promote one of its assistants to replace him.

Hurstbridge coach Trevor Little has quit the club. Picture: Stuart Milligan.

HURSTBRIDGE says it has been “rocked” by coach Trevor Little’s resignation as it weighs up whether to promote one of its assistants to replace him.

Little cited “off-field things” as the reason behind his decision to quit the club, confirming he had parted ways with the Bridges on Monday.

Little, who was appointed by the Bridges in October, 2016, after the club’s Northern Football League Division 2 premiership, stepped down on Sunday.

Hurstbridge president Stephen East said the club had been “blindsided” and was “shell-shocked” by the sudden departure.

“Whatever term you want to use, it’s rocked the club,” East said.

Little denied the weekend’s 44-point defeat to Northcote Park, which left the eighth-placed club 2-5 after seven rounds, had been a factor in his call.

“It’s the furthest thing from the truth. I know people will think that and I can’t stop that,” Little said.

“But it’s not the case.”

Speculation was rife at the weekend Little had departed Ben Frilay Oval.

“It’s never been about the playing group,” Little said.

“I think we have got a really good group there that are going to take the club hopefully to bigger and better places.

“I believe in the players, I think they are a great group and I have got a lot of respect for them.

“They deserve better outcomes, but right now I can’t coach that group due to off-field things.”

Asked whether he could elaborate on the issues which had forced his resignation, he said: “No one is going to be a winner from that”.

East said he had been unaware there were issues between Little and the club and had remained hopeful he would reconsider his decision as recently as Sunday night.

“We have certainly been open and backed Trevor 100 per cent all the way,” he said.

“It’s a little bit disappointing to hear that. If that’s the case we’ll address those, whatever they may be.”

Hurstbridge was widely tipped to rise into premiership contention this year after the off-season recruitment of former AFL brothers Travis and Cameron Cloke, Montmorency on-baller Daniel Keenan and star midfielder Ryan Jackson.

But it has endured a testing opening two months of the campaign, dealt heavy defeats by West Preston-Lakeside (78 points), Macleod (63) and Northcote Park (44) and claiming wins over Heidelberg and Whittlesea.

Little said he had a burning desire to continue coaching but was disappointed it would not be at the Bridges.