TonyK
CibbuanoStar Dog says goodbye
September 24th 2008 07:54
SCOTT West has made an emotional farewell after being dumped by the Western Bulldogs.
West was told by coach Rodney Eade and the match committee on Tuesday that he was no longer a required player due to the club’s focus on developing youth.
The 33-year-old said his initial feeling when broken the news by Eade was one of sadness and a 'little bit of anger' as he believed he could still play AFL football.
Eade said telling West that his services were no longer required was the hardest thing he has ever had to do as a coach.
“Yeah, it’s the toughest, there’s no doubt, because I think I’ve got a pretty good relationship with Scott,” Eade said.
“We’ve worked well together and he has supported me as a coach.
"Certainly as a coach you need the support of the senior players and I think we've got a good relationship off the field as well, but to be able to look him in the eye and actually do that was tough.
"You're charged with what you think is best for the football club to go forward, and you make those decisions, and they're not taken lightly.
"It's extra hard when you've got such a super champion, and he's been a great player for this club.
"But as I said, you've got to make those hard decisions at some stage."
Bulldogs captain Brad Johnson said West’s leadership will be sorely missed.
"In regards to leadership he basically... well I think in my eyes... captained this club in a way because he offered me so much," he said.
"The experience and the knowledge to put forward to this group was just huge and the support that I received from him was just enormous and it's going to be missed without a doubt."
West was told by coach Rodney Eade and the match committee on Tuesday that he was no longer a required player due to the club’s focus on developing youth.
The 33-year-old said his initial feeling when broken the news by Eade was one of sadness and a 'little bit of anger' as he believed he could still play AFL football.
Eade said telling West that his services were no longer required was the hardest thing he has ever had to do as a coach.
“Yeah, it’s the toughest, there’s no doubt, because I think I’ve got a pretty good relationship with Scott,” Eade said.
“We’ve worked well together and he has supported me as a coach.
"Certainly as a coach you need the support of the senior players and I think we've got a good relationship off the field as well, but to be able to look him in the eye and actually do that was tough.
"You're charged with what you think is best for the football club to go forward, and you make those decisions, and they're not taken lightly.
"It's extra hard when you've got such a super champion, and he's been a great player for this club.
"But as I said, you've got to make those hard decisions at some stage."
Bulldogs captain Brad Johnson said West’s leadership will be sorely missed.
"In regards to leadership he basically... well I think in my eyes... captained this club in a way because he offered me so much," he said.
"The experience and the knowledge to put forward to this group was just huge and the support that I received from him was just enormous and it's going to be missed without a doubt."
| 25 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog
