Brad Murphy will stand down as Melton coach at the end of the Ballarat Football League season, claiming he doesn’t have the full support of the club.
Murphy came to the decision last week that this season would be his last after two years at the Bloods.
While disappointed to be leaving the club, he said he felt he didn’t have the full support of Melton’s committee.
“It will be coming to an end at the end of the season,” Murphy said. “It is a little bit disappointing but that is the way it is. I will move on and try and find another job.
“Ultimately for me to work in an environment I want to have 100 per cent support.”
Murphy added some blowout results had also made it difficult to remain in the top job.
Melton lost its first two games of July by more than 100 points, going down to North Ballarat City by 119 and Lake Wendouree by 125. As a result, the Bloods are in eighth place on the BFL ladder.
“The 100-point losses have also made me question myself a little bit as to whether I do have the playing group’s support,” Murphy said. “I have been told by the players I do have their support.
“I think the club is heading in the right direction. There is just some other stuff they need to sort out before they become the powerhouse they once used to be.”
Murphy will coach out the rest of the season.
He led Melton to a 70-point win against local rival Melton South on Saturday, 22.16 (148) – 11.12 (78). The Bloods have a soft run coming up, with competition strugglers Sebastopol and Ballarat as their next two opponents.
“I think the next four out of five games are really winnable for us,” Murphy said.
“I’d like to finish the season on a good note and help the club win a few more games.
“We are in a pretty good position to finish off the season on a high.”
The Bloods will start the search for a new coach immediately.
In a statement released on Friday, Melton thanked Murphy for his hard work.
“Brad has contributed significantly at the MFNC as both an outstanding player, winning the 2014 best and fairest in his first season as a player/coach, and by also providing a professional approach, demanding high standards and commitment from his group.”
