Brendan McCartney quits as coach of Western Bulldogs as crisis deepens

Brendan McCartney quit as coach of the Western Bulldogs on Friday, with president Peter Gordon citing communication issues with players as the reason for the coach’s downfall.

McCartney’s position had been under scrutiny following the Bulldogs’ tepid finish to the season, although three days ago Gordon dismissed reports the coach had been close to losing his job in September.

Gordon admitted that disgruntled captain Ryan Griffen’s shock trade request to Greater Western Sydney directly led to McCartney’s demise.

“I asked Macca whether his best judgment was whether he could overcome these new impediments,” Gordon said at Friday’s press conference at Whitten Oval, which McCartney did not attend.

“He was uncertain and asked us to get some further feedback from key people and we spent a lot of yesterday doing so.”

Gordon did not speak with Griffen, who had previously raised some of the players’ concerns about McCartney’s approach.

Gordon suggested there was “some significant support for Macca” during Thursday’s talks with players and officials.

But Gordon said ultimately the Bulldogs were forced to “make a judgment as senior management and the board to make a change. Macca’s agreed with that”.

Gordon said McCartney’s relationship with players had “deteriorated” this season, particularly in the latter half of their campaign.

In the end McCartney quit his post, however Gordon admitted negative feedback had severely compromised the coach’s chances of helping the club succeed.

It appears McCartney was left with little choice but to fall on his sword.

Gordon said McCartney agreed that staying on would be an “impediment to our continued improvement” and that he was leaving his post immediately.

However, despite the apparent player power at play, Gordon said “our players don’t run this club, we do.”

McCartney was appointed coach in 2011, when he pipped favourite son Leon Cameron who is now coaching GWS.