Curley Calls Time on Final Chapter at BulldogsThursday, August 29, 2024 - 12:07 PM

Todd Curley admits his hunger for coaching waned in the back half of the WAFL home and away season.

South Fremantle’s 18-point win over West Perth in Round 21 was ultimately Curley’s last in charge of the club, with Claremont’s victory over Subiaco the following day consigning the Bulldogs to sixth spot and September spectators.

“We were just probably not consistently good enough and let a couple of close games slip away at crucial stages,” Curley said.

“Then, we had a few injuries at the wrong time to a few of our A grade players.

“But we still see it as a really positive year where we were not far away and for most games during the season our team contained 8-12 players with less than 20 games of experience.

“There is a lot of young talent now that can hopefully develop together to be the nucleus of the next premiership team.”

Curley had been in constant dialogue with South Fremantle about his coaching role and it came to a head in the last few months.

“The last couple of years I have chatted with the club on a yearly basis at the completion of the season but as we got towards the end of 2024 it was pretty clear that I wouldn’t look to continue,” he said.

“I love coaching, but the demands of family, working a full time job and then leading the football club was starting to become a challenge.

“I guess I was starting to no longer have the appetite to be constantly making it all work.

“It is time for a new chapter for me and the club.”

Curley, who took the senior coaching role in October 2014, spent 10 years in charge and had a winning percentage of more than 60 per cent, highlighted by South Fremantle’s Grand Final triumph in 2020.

“The premiership was special because that group of guys had been building towards the ultimate success for four to five years, had some heart break along the way and in the end came out the other side as premiership players, which they thoroughly earned,” Curley said.

The 51-year-old, who played and coached at AFL and WAFL level, walks away proud of his contribution to the Bulldogs.

“Overall it was a fantastic experience and I was lucky to meet some great people and walk away with some great memories,” Curley reflected.

“It didn’t always go to plan, and we had some hard times along the way, but they made us better and stronger in the end.”

Curley confirmed returning to the footy industry in the short term isn’t on his radar.

“No real plans at this stage, looking to take some time and see what it is like to have some downtime and time for myself,” he said.

While he has no dog in the premiership fight now, Curley has declared the flag race is wide open.

“Not sure to be honest as it has been tight all year between the top five to six teams and I genuinely feel it will be whoever can put it together and play the best footy on the day.”