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.
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.
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
No Melbourne have direction and are actively looking to improve. Dogs and Saints both don't know what is happening to their own clubs.
Axle an the guru
Guest
This club seems to be in disarray,why would any young gun go there,there dont seem much of a future at the kennel. Maybe its time for the AFL to merge Footsgray & St Kilda as they both look fu:ked. If you want to add Melbourne you just might end up with a competitive side.
Casper
Guest
No doubt he is a good pick up for GWS, but the thought of trading Cameron for a 28 year old that is not quite top draw, would be lunacy.
berrlins
Roar Pro
ridiculous, we now have no coach and our best player is leaving, our brownlow medalist is leaving and our best KPP is leaving, this is why the term basketcase exists and the dogs are getting scarily close to it.
slane
Guest
Griffen is an ecplosive, mature bodied midfielder with great leadership skills. He is exactly what GWS need. It's why they targeted him. They have enough gun teenagers to develop, more kids won't help them.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Need a good dentist asd? I can help you out….
strayan
Guest
i'm more referring to Macca's over indulgence in his "jobs for the boys" program he's got going on at Whitten Oval. Scarlett, Mooney, Ben Graham, joel corey, etc. instead of surrounding himself with mates who will agree with him, he should've concentrated on tactics, gameplans, match strategies and proper management of players. Cleanse the stench of Geelong chase them feral cats out of the kennel
Paul D
Roar Guru
Not saying GWS won't trade, but Cameron for Griffin wouldn't eventuate. Bulldogs would have to offer someone like the Bont or Jack Macrae to prise Cameron out of GWS in a straight swap.
slane
Guest
I promise you both that one of Boyd, Cameron or Patton will be traded within 2 years! Bulldogs are begging for a key forward, it's win-win.
asd
Guest
its a hard job being a good coach they have to be gifted like bomber barassi sheedy clarkson so and so on . not a lot have it . Finding a great coach is like finding a great dentist . not to many around
Seano
Roar Rookie
Test
Franko
Guest
I'm actually hoping Macca takes Walsh's spot at Port Adelaide to get some more Geelong mafia, although Hocking is tipped to go to the Suns.
Winston
Guest
And why's that?
asd
Guest
good assistant coach . thats not the same as a head coach
Winston
Guest
You may (and I'm not even totally convinced about this) have a point about a coach being more important than the players. But that's assuming McCartney is a better coach than Griffen is as a player, which seems totally wrong.
DJW
Guest
Well its obvious who has all the power these days, the players! The clubs bow down to them. I really dislike this trend.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Agreed, that's straight out of the Collingwood list of demands file. GWS would laugh them out of the room.
Mathew Docker
Roar Rookie
Macca signed a new 3 year deal and the end of the 2013 season. Yet another instance of a silly contract extension for a Head Coach, only to be gone the year after.
Casper
Guest
Slane, you need to step into the real world. There is no way that the bulldogs could have got Cameron for Griffen, let alone a pick as well.
me, I like football
Guest
Ken Hinkley was once part of the "Geelong mafia". look at them both here. http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2012/10/13/1226495/000142-geelong-team.jpg