DEPARTING Gisborne coach Rod Sharp says the club needs a fresh start.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Sharp was re-signed as senior coach last month, but the club announced on Wednesday that he was stepping down from the position.
“We’ve had some players leave at the same time and the club probably needs some fresh air,’’ Sharp said on Wednesday.
“From my point of view the club needs a coach that can be there for at least two years and, with my personal situation, I can’t commit to that.
“The club needs continuity in that position and I was probably only going to coach next year and then look at some other things in my life.
“I always have the best interest of the club that I love, so it’s best if I move on.”
Sharp coached Gisborne for two seasons, leading the club to the preliminary final in 2014.
The Bulldogs struggled this season, winning six of 18 games.
Sharp, a multiple premiership player with Gisborne, will stay involved with the Bulldogs in the short-term.
“I’ll join the coaching sub-committee to help find the next coach,’’ Sharp said.
“There’s a few strong candidates out there that could get the club up and about straight away.”
The new coach faces a rebuilding process, with six of the club’s most senior players departing.
Club great Ollie Messaoudi has retired, while ruckman Tom Waters, full-forward Matt Knox and skipper Casey Summerfield have signed with Macedon and Scott and Tim Walsh have signalled their intentions to play with Riddell.
“The club is hoping to hang on to Tim Walsh,’’ Sharp said.
“Tim had ankle surgery yesterday and we’ll have another conversation with him next week.
“Tim is only 22 and his future is huge, so we’d love to keep a hold of him.
“He’s won one club best and fairest award and been runner-up in two. It will be disappointing if he does move on.”