Big elimination final loss to Southern Districts has Buffs coach Matt Campbell in standby mode

MATT Campbell will leave it to the wise heads at the Darwin Buffaloes to decide his coaching and playing future

Matt Campbell celebrates a goal for the Darwin Buffaloes. Will he be in charge in 2020-21? Picture: GLENN CAMPBELL

MATT Campbell will leave it to the wise heads at the Darwin Buffaloes to decide his coaching and playing future.

The Buffaloes bowed out of the 2019-20 finals race when thrashed by a pumped up Southern Districts.

A disappointed Campbell wants to sit down with his coaching group and the committee to decide his fate.

Four successive finals campaigns have produced three elimination final exits and a heart-stopping grand final loss to Districts in the 2018 decider.

“What do you put it down to? Who knows? Maybe it’s time for a new coach to make things happen,’’ Campbell said.

“One thing I’ve always been honest about is change and if it is needed. Not everyone stays in one job for a long time and not everyone finds success.

“It was a stop-start season for us, we got on a roll, beat some good teams and played some good footy then lost games we should have won.

“And we had multiple opportunities to finish third and couldn’t do it, something that hurt us in the end.’’

The Buffaloes staggered over the line with key utility Joe Anderson nursing a hip injury and hamstring issues affecting captain Jarrod Stokes and forward Daniel Stafford.

“It was my decision not to play Joey in the last two games of the year,’’ Campbell said.

“I knew he was going to be sore and even though he would die on the field playing for the Buffaloes, I wouldn’t risk him.

“Joey’s welfare, his young family and general quality of life are very important.’’

Campbell wants to keep playing at 33 years of age, saying he feels like he is playing some good footy giving something as a player.

And he can see Nightcliff in the grand final, with their opponents slightly obscured.

“Nightcliff and Saints is anyone’s game, but anyone else and it’s their flag,’’ he said.