IT was a bittersweet moment for Lakes coach Robbie Payne.
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The Seagulls sent Payne out a winner on what was an emotional Saturday afternoon at Cahill Oval, but the decision by his beloved club to start the search for a new mentor left him "hurt" and "disappointed".
Lakes secretary Grant Thompson-Laing said the club was "going in a different direction" and feels the Newcastle Rugby League competition has reached "another level this year" with the amount of NRL experience around the grounds.
Expressions of interest for the job in 2022 will open shortly, however, Seagulls assistant Matt Nicoll takes over for the time being.
Payne said he would have eventually been willing to learn under someone with higher credentials, citing Rip Taylor, Ian Bourke and Rick Stone as potential examples, but his tenure now finishes earlier than expected having been contracted until the end of this season.
Payne was informed about the club's intentions last week. An arrangement was made to wrap up almost immediately. He then addressed his squad and support staff at training on Thursday night ahead of the weekend's farewell.
"The club has made a decision moving forward that I'm not the right man to be head coach at Lakes United," Payne told the Newcastle Herald.
"I've been there as a player and coach for 20 years and I'm a life member. So I'm very hurt and very disappointed, but I'd never disrespect the football club. I love the joint."
Payne said with Lakes often relying on juniors "miracles don't happen overnight" and was "upset he didn't get the opportunity to build with these young kids over the next one or two years".
He added that Saturday's performance against The Entrance, flipping a half-century loss two months ago into a 30-6 victory at home, "had a little bit extra on the line for myself".
Thompson-Laing estimated a "short turnaround time" in terms of the next appointment to help with player retention and recruitment.
Lakes find themselves in a somewhat familiar position, having changed coaches five times since 2017.
Dean Noonan held the reins for four seasons, including the club's most recent premiership in 2015, before now Cessnock mentor Todd Edwards took the Seagulls to the 2018 grand final in his one campaign.
Glenn Agland was in the box seat for four rounds in 2019 before work commitments saw Lyndon Sheppard step up.
Payne was announced as the replacement for 2020, which turned out to be severely impacted by coronavirus, and re-signed for 2021.
Lakes have won three of their last five games after opening 0-5.
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