The Tigers announced on Tuesday night they had sacked Adamson; the decision made with four rounds left in the Bendigo Football League season and Kyneton on the cusp of playing finals for the first time since 2003.

“The decision was made after a recovery session was called for the players last Sunday… the players fronted, but Mark didn’t,” Waters told the Bendigo Advertiser on Wednesday.

“That’s not reaching the standards that we require.”

Asked if there were any other factors that had led to the dismissal of Adamson, Waters said: “No, Addo was going to be coaching out the rest of the year until last Sunday.”

Adamson was appointed coach of Kyneton in June of 2013, the season in which the Tigers senior side was in recess.

After recruiting a new senior team to take to the field, the Tigers last year finished seventh with six wins.

This year Adamson had the Tigers on track to play finals for the first time in 12 years, with Kyneton sitting a game clear in fifth spot at 6-12 with four rounds left.

“Over the past 25 months an enormous amount of time, effort and commitment has been required as a senior coach to return a competitive senior team to the BFNL competition,” Adamson said in a statement.

“The vast majority of people attached to the Kyneton FNC who I have worked with during this period have been fantastic.

“I would also like to thank the supporters who have also been terrific. The players and coaching staff have been committed and I wish them the best.

“It’s bitterly disappointing to be removed and replaced with four games left and on the cusp of a potential finals series given the history.

“The club has taken an option that they feel is in its best interests; I firmly believe that other options were available to the club in relation to a senior coach failing to meet specific club requirements.”

Adamson – who had already indicated to the Tigers he wouldn’t be coaching on next year - admitted he had let the club down by not attending last Sunday’s session, but that he had “organised coverage through one of my assistant coaches, which wasn’t deemed good enough.

“I was prepared to come down to the club and apologise.

“There was an arrangement among the coaching staff that from time to time we couldn’t get to a session and over my two years there that had happened, but there hadn’t been any major issue made of it.”

Kyneton player Luke Beattie will step up to coach.

Last month Beattie was an assistant coach with the Victoria Country division two team, while he has previously coached Daylesford to a premiership and was an assistant coach in a flag-winning season at Sunbury.

Beattie is also a premiership player with the Tigers.

Waters is confident the club’s decision won’t derail the rest of the season and the push for a long-awaited return to the finals.

“I’m honestly not concerned by that. We’re all on the one page down here,” Waters said.

“I rang around the senior players yesterday and they all understood the decision and have quickly embraced Luke and they will put their best foot forward for the rest of the year.

“If we make finals, it’s a shame Addo won’t get to enjoy those moments, but once the dust settles Addo will always be welcome back at the Kyneton footy club.

“I addressed the players at training last night and made the point of saying that without Addo we wouldn’t be where we are.

“We’ve been through a lot together, he has made an enormous contribution and it’s disappointing what has happened, but his tireless work in getting a senior side back on the park will never be forgotten.”

Kyneton was Adamson’s second BFL club.

He previously coached Golden Square in 2008 and 2009, taking the Bulldogs to a flag in his second year.

Kyneton travels to play Strathfieldsaye this Saturday.