“It’s a really important decision for me and for the footy club.”
“I have come to that decision around the fact I shouldn’t do the job if I don’t have the energy to give it absolutely everything; that wouldn’t be the right thing for the club and basically that’s where it got to.
“It’s not the right thing for me or for the club. The players will feel it, the staff will feel it, if the senior coach is not warts and all in. And that means emotionally you have to be right in, you have to be all over everything.
Eagles insist coach hunt hadn't begun early
“It has been in the back of my mind and I have been convincing myself that at the end of the season there’s less intensity, you’ll rekindle all the energy, you’ll have a break and you’ll be up and going again, but I just think it’s time now.
“I think I could do that, but I don’t want to have that doubt. There are plenty of people out there who are ready for this opportunity. This club will give them a wonderful opportunity.
“My time is done as coach of this footy club. I couldn’t have had a better time, I couldn’t have asked for any more. I certainly couldn’t have given any more.”