Justin Wilson says he’s had sleepless nights and feels “sick in the stomach” since putting in a clearance to leave South Bendigo.
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The star Bloods midfielder lodged a clearance to Loddon Valley club Bears-Lagoon Serpentine just hours before the deadline on Sunday night.
Wilson feels he’s let down Bloods coach Rick Coburn, and his team-mates, but believes he had no choice except to leave after an argument with a South committee member on Sunday night.
The incident occurred following South’s third-straight loss, to Gisborne at the QEO.
“My (problem) was with the hierarchy at South Bendigo, not with the players and the coaching staff,” Wilson said yesterday.
“I had an argument with one of the hierarchy on Sunday night and it all stemmed from that.
“It wasn’t premeditated, it was something that stemmed from Sunday and I’ve had enough.”
Sunday’s game was Wilson’s return from a five-match lay-off because of a broken jaw.
The first-year South player said he’s shattered to now walk out on his team-mates – but particularly Coburn and skipper Brady Childs.
“I really admire them, I feel as though I’ve let them down, but I feel as though I’ve been let down by some of the hierarchy at South,” he said.
“I’m very upset about it, I haven’t slept for two days just thinking about the boys and the outcome of it, but I stand fast by my decision.
“I just wish the boys all the best. They play Sandhurst and Kangaroo Flat in the next fortnight... I want them to win and I want them to be successful.
“I don’t want to get involved with the clearance stuff, but South need to move on.
“They need to concentrate on beating Sandhurst and not me.”
The Bendigo Advertiser understands Wilson is yet to be cleared by South Bendigo.
Bloods coach Rick Coburn couldn’t be contacted yesterday.
Coburn said on Monday he was shocked to learn of Wilson’s clearance application.
He speculated Wilson might want to leave because he believed Bears-Lagoon Serpentine had a better chance of winning a flag.
The Bears are a win clear on top of the Loddon Valley FNL ladder, but Wilson yesterday denied that was the reason.
“I wouldn’t even be able to tell you where Serp are on the ladder,” he said.
“(Bears coach Damien Featherby) is just a mate of mine and that’s why I’m there.”