Brendan McCartney quits as Western Bulldogs coach as players threaten to walk out

“It’s a sad man that resigns today, but that’s footy,” Brendon McCartney says as he leaves the Western Bulldogs in crisis.

AFL Round 16 Geelong v Western Bulldogs at Simonds Stadium, Geelong. Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney at 3qtr time. Pic: Michael Klein. Sunday July 6, 2014.

BRENDAN McCartney has quit as coach of the Western Bulldogs.

McCartney handed his resignation to the board this morning after 24 hours of turmoil following the decision of captain Ryan Griffen to request a trade to GWS.

In a statement, McCartney thanked his assistant coaches and the club for giving him the opportunity.

“It’s a sad man that resigns today, but that’s footy. I leave knowing that I got some things right and got some wrong, but I did my best and gave everything,” he said.

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“Contrary to public perception, there are also experienced players who love their Club and provide outstanding leadership and direction for their team mates.

“To our supporters and members in particular ... thank you for your patience and emotion. We had some good times, some tough moments and patches where progress seemed slow.

“What I would like to reinforce to you is that your Club is in good hands.”

President Peter Gordon said at a press conference on Friday that Griffen’s move posed major issues for the coach.

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“Last night we asked Macca if he could overcome these impediments ... he said he was uncertain,” Gordon said.

He said feedback on the coach was not all one-way and “there was significant support for Macca”.

“But ... in light of those discussions Macca has therefore made the decisions to resign as senior coach of the Western Bulldogs effective immediately, a decision we agree is in the best interests of the footy club.”

Gordon added: “Our players do not run this club, we do. But we make decisions based on evidence.”

“This is not a crisis, this is a tough week in the office.”

Brendan McCartney finished at Bulldogs. Met CEO and pres this morning... Strange times

— Scott Gullan (@gullanHeraldSun) October 9, 2014

Looks like McCartney has left the building. Not speaking. Car shifted for him. Brett Montgomery likely to take charge, for interim at least.

— Sam Landsberger (@SamLandsberger) October 9, 2014

He said the club remained “distressed and disturbed” by Griffen walking out on the club — a move that totally blindsided the Dogs — and hoped the captain would change his mind and honour his contract with the Dogs in 2015.

“These are events that have traumatised our club in the last couple of weeks,” Gordon said, adding that Griffen was away pig shooting.

Gordon said football director Chris Grant — “a man of great wisdom and judgment” — would lead the search for a new coach.

Gordon said a post-season review had revealed the coach's communication with players had become a serious issue in the second half of 2014.

Western Bulldogs President Peter Gordon announces the departure of coach Brendan McCartney. Picture: Michael Klein

“Macca acknowledged that observation and he promised to work on it, and the fact of the matter is he has worked on it, really hard.

“But it’s also fair to say we were concerned and Macca himself was concerned about whether the position itself was recoverable.

“It is my opinion this was a result of his work ethic, of caring too much, trying too hard and therefore demanding too much of those around him and perhaps not demanding it in the right way.”

McCartney’s Bulldogs finished the season with seven wins in 14th position.

In his three years in charge after replacing Rodney Eade, McCartney has coached the Dogs to 20 wins from 66 games at a winning percentage of 30.3 per cent.

The Bulldogs re-signed McCartney for three years at the end of the 2013 season, with Garlick saying the extension was a “logical decision”.

McCartney is the third coach to leave his position post-season, following the sackings of Guy McKenna at Gold Coast and Brenton Sanderson at Adelaide.