Ryan Griffen speaks on reasons for leaving Western Bulldogs as new Giant looks forward to fresh start

RYAN Griffen says leaving the Western Bulldogs was the hardest decision he’s ever made as the new Giant came close to tears.

Greater Western Sydney Giants Media Session

GWS Giants recruit Ryan Griffen says he would have given the game away if he had stayed at the Western Bulldogs.

Speaking for the first time since he was swapped by the Bulldogs (along with pick 6 and $1 million salary cap relief) for number one draft pick Tom Boyd, Griffen revealed just how down he had become.

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“I was thinking about retiring next year at the age of 29,” Griffen said.

“That’s something I didn’t want to do. I needed a change and the best fit was GWS.”

Griffen’s request to move to GWS came the day before coach Brendan McCartney was sacked sparking speculation of a rift between captain and coach.

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The 28 year old declaring he wasn’t the reason for McCartney’s departure.

“I don’t take the responsibility of that happening,” Griffen said.

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“We had meetings and things were said but they are confidential, I’m not going into them.

“Macca added so much to my game I was All Australian under him. I improved the defensive side of my game.

“I’m not going to lie there were things that were frustrating about the way he coached but there were also other sides where I had total respect for him.

Ryan Griffen is trading places with Tom Boyd at Greater Western Sydney. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“My decision (to leave) wasn’t totally based on if he was going to be there or not. If that was the case I would have still been at the Bulldogs. He added sides to my game and improved me as a footballer and I wish him all the best.”

Griffen said the pressure of captaincy also contributed to his unhappiness at the club he had played at for 10 years.

“The captaincy weighed me down a bit,” Griffen said.

“I felt like I didn’t really fit the role.

“GWS is a great fit for me I can get out of the bubble of Melbourne and I can get back into training and enjoy the game I love.

“I do love the game, I just lost it for a while.

“I needed a fresh start, I found myself in a hole last year and just wasn’t enjoying the game. If I’m not enjoying something I don’t want to do it.”

Griffen was clearly emotional about the end of his time at the Whitten Oval where he played 202 games, won two Best and Fairest awards and All Australian honours.

“I was at the club for 10 years and they’ve given me so much over the years,” Griffen said.

“It was the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make.

“You don’t want it to come to this to be feeling not happy or great about yourself, family comes first and that’s why I made the decision.”