Kurri Kurri coach Ron Griffiths has announced he will not seek the Bulldogs senior coaching job for next season.
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Sunday's frustrating 13-12 field goal loss to Central Newcastle was Griffiths last official match with the club where he has coached for the past three seasons.
"It's disappointing, but that's sport you don't always go out the way you want," Griffiths said this week.
"It was a real stop-start affair, there was a lot of ill-discipline.
"It was a tight contest, but unfortunately for us we couldn't do what was required when it mattered.
"The guys will learn from it, they'll grow as players and grow as people which is the most important thing that they take something out of it.
"The one thing you can never question with this group is their commitment and effort. They established that on the training track with their hard work and dedication and have never wavered."
Griffiths informed the club of his intentions not to reapply for the job when they began the process of formally opening applications.
"I let the club know, I decided the time was right for I suppose a freshen up for both," he said.
"I enjoyed my time there. I love what they're about just their ethic, a hard working town and a community that get really behind their club.
"The club and the community, everyone that I have been involved with at the club has made me a better person. My family and myself have been enriched by our involvement.
I love what they're about just their ethic, a hard working town and a community that get really behind their club.
- Ron Griffiths
"But it's time for a new challenge."
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Griffiths took over the senior coaching role from Phil Williams, who in an ironic twist is at the helm of Central Newcastle this season.
"Two years ago we finished last. We made the finals last year and just missed out this year," he said.
"I think the big thing is we've got three teams playing semi-final football this weekend. The club as a whole is in good shape, they had six junior teams in grand finals over the weekend.
"It's been a real team effort by everyone to progress to where we are now."
Griffiths said he had no coaching position in place but was keen to continue in either a senior role or as an assistant.
"I'm just looking what's out there, it's a bit of a risk as a coach as you always want to be coaching.
"I think it's important that I'm involved somewhere in coaching, whether it's a head coaching role or as an assistant. I will find something for sure.
"I do a little bit at the moment with an NRL squad, it's the path I'd like to go down eventually but I won't know for a few weeks.
"I've got to wait and see.
Griffiths said he had been blessed with a great staff and support from within the club during his three years as senior coach.
"Some of the staff we've got out there the players have really been blessed. They are coming up with new, exciting ideas for them and really developing the players and the players have been buying into it," he said.
"From a club perspective there are a lot of people who have been really good supporters, particularly Tony Hindmarsh. From a staff point of view I've been blessed with some exceptional staff out there Mark Chenery, Todd Polglase, Rod Leggett and Josh Day.
"You've got to be comfortable that you're staff are there for the right reasons and I've never had any doubt with any of them. Their commitment never wavered."