Hawks lose coach

Tootell was only appointed eight weeks ago to lead the club in their inaugural TSL season, following the resignation of former Western Storm coach Mitch Hills.

At the time the club said that ‘‘it was excited to appoint Tootell as it looks to launch a new era in the Tasmanian State League’’.

In announcing Tootell’s departure on Thursday, a statement from club president Michelle Strickland said that the parting of ways was a mutual decision.

‘‘The club and John have mutually agreed that it was in the best interest of both parties,’’ Strickland said.

‘‘We want to make it clear that John has not quit, nor has he been sacked.

‘‘This is simply a decision that is mutually beneficial, given the club’s current review of its preferred structure in 2016.

‘‘We thank John for his commitment in his short involvement with the club and wish him all the best into the future.’’

Tootell said he believed the club would struggle to field a senior team next season, with a critical shortage of experienced players.

‘‘There is a young group and, for me, I am not prepared to put these young kids out on the park,’’ he said.

‘‘The club have been really good and we have come to an agreement where obviously there are a few decisions to be made and, with these young kids working forward, the coaches that are there who have brought them through may as well keep going with them.

‘‘There is no use me being here if there is going to be the high possibility that they won’t have a senior side.’’

Tootell said he was disappointed after returning to the state to coach a TSL club.

‘‘I knew what the situation was with the Storm-Hawks and unfortunately it has worked out this way, but it was a mutual thing between myself and the club because, realistically, they are going to struggle to make a senior team,’’ he said.

‘‘There are a lot of people there trying to do the right thing and get it going and it is in the hands of the club now whether they are happy for the Hawks to move forward.’’

The Prospect Hawks face a crucial meeting on Tuesday to decide their future and whether they will field teams in the TSL next season.