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Western Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney has stepped down from his position in the middle of the trade period the day after confirmation of a feud between him and captain Ryan Griffen.
Bulldogs chairman Peter Gordon announced McCartney’s departure from the coaching position, blaming a deterioration in communication between mentor and players.
Gordon said McCartney had been crucial in building the club in the past three years, but a communication breakdown in the second half of 2014 led to issues within the playing group.
After a review, Gordon said McCartney decided to step down.
Yesterday, star midfielder Griffen requested a release from the club due to the poor relationship between he and the head coach.
He had requested a trade to the Greater Western Sydney Giants, but the Bulldogs later released a statement saying they had taken the position that Griffen was contracted until the end of 2015, and would remain that way.
While they acknowledged that Griffen desired to be traded, it is clear they want to hold onto the club talisman for next season.
The Western Bulldogs position is that Ryan is a contracted player and he will be required to fulfil his contract in 2015.
— Western Bulldogs (@westernbulldogs) October 9, 2014
McCartney’s fall from the top job comes after three unsuccessful seasons for the ‘Dogs, where they failed to make the top eight once.
He has coached 66 games at AFL level, with a record of 20 wins and 46 losses, but has a building roster that includes Griffen, Tom Liberatore and runner up for the 2014 Rising Star Marcus Bontempelli.
There have been rumblings of discontent at the Dogs, but it all came to a head yesterday, after Griffen made the statement through his management declaring his intentions to take up a four-year deal with the GWS Giants.
Losing Griffen would have been a disaster for the club, who have already lost Shaun Higgins and Liam Jones, and it looks to have prompted a move from management.
Read Dan Lonergan’s take on what losing Ryan Griffen would mean to the Bulldogs
But the club has moved quickly, with McCartney falling on his sword this morning.
What this means for Griffen’s prospective trade is unclear. Gordon said it is still the club’s position that he should see out the contract he is obliged to honour.
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