Matt Campbell pulls down the curtain on his coaching career at the Buffaloes after three seasons

NTFL club Darwin Buffaloes are looking for a new senior coach after Matt Campbell told club president Shaun Pearce on Thursday he would not be continuing in the role

Matt Campbell in typical pose in his player-coach role with the Darwin Buffaloes. Picture: GLENN CAMPBELL

NTFL club Darwin Buffaloes are looking for a new senior coach after Matt Campbell told club president Shaun Pearce on Thursday he would not be continuing in the role.

Campbell took the Buffaloes to within a point of a Premier League flag in 2018 and got the double blue jumpers into the finals in his three seasons at the coaching helm.

The former AFL Kangaroo and North Adelaide goalkicker told the NT News the time was right for him to move on.

“It’s hard to put it down to one thing, but I suppose it was the lack of drive and fire to be a coach for a long time,’’ he said.

“The mind and soul is just a little bit worn out. Some people do it longer and others shorter.

“But at the end of the day where I’m heading and what I want to do in the next couple of years just doesn’t line up with coaching a footy club.’’

Buffaloes president Shaun Pearce thanked Campbell for his efforts and commitment to the club over three season.

“Matt has maintained a clear focus on the development of younger players and extended the career of senior players,’’ he said.

“As a result, he has instilled a professional approach to football at a high level, placing the team list and the club in a solid and promising position for the future.’’

Pearce said Campbell, who married in the off season and changed careers before the 2019-20 season commenced, is contemplating staying on at the club as a player-mentor.

“We will now embark on an intensive recruitment process to find a replacement coach,’’ Pearce added.

“We want to engage with parties interested in coaching a club with a committed list and a strong tradition.’’