Coach quits struggling Sharks

Peter Larkins has quit as league coach of Albany Football Club just nine rounds into the season, citing personal reasons for his decision to walk away from the embattled club on Monday.

Captain and assistant coach Cleve Humphries, who left Royals in January to join the Sharks, will take the reins for the remainder of the season, making him the club’s sixth senior coach in four seasons.

Speaking to the Albany Advertiser yesterday, Larkins said the performance of the league side this season was not the main reason behind his decision.

“I had to make the decision on the grounds of what is best for my family,” Larkins said.

“It has been very hard to get a fully committed playing group, but I emphasise that was not the reason.”

The player-coach, who was appointed in December, said the club had been supportive of him throughout his short tenure and believed Humphries would do a great job.

“I was fully aware of what I walked into. There just wasn’t the depth,” he said.

“Cleve will be great. He has been all along.”

Club president Alan Smallwood refused to comment on Larkins’ decision to quit, but was excited Humphries had accepted the challenge and said he would be considered for the top job next season.

Humphries also refused to comment on Larkins’ resignation, but said he was determined to put his stamp on the group in the final six rounds of their winless second season in the league competition.

Humphries took training for the first time on Tuesday night, a few hours after making his decision to take on the job as caretaker coach.

“I’ve always wanted to be a league coach. I am going to give 120 per cent in the last weeks of the season and I can honestly say right now if they want me to stay on and if I’m enjoying it and the boxes are being ticked off, then I will,” he said.

Great Southern Football League president Kym Jones said while Larkins’ decision was disappointing, he endorsed Humphries as the man to lead the senior playing group.

“The GSFL needs the Sharks and there was a great option under their nose in Cleve,” Jones said.

Larkins’ resignation adds to what has been a challenging season for the club on-field.

Star utility Michael Bennell was reported for allegedly making contact with an umpire in their 171-point defeat to reigning premiers Railways last Sunday, and was due to front the tribunal last night.

Bennell also contested a two-week penalty for striking, after he was red carded in the second quarter for a scuffle with Railways’ Matt McKain.