Devonport coach Mitch Thorp resigned as Magpies coach following their eight-point loss to Burnie at West Park on Friday.
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Thorp, who had two years remaining on his contract with the club, named family reasons after three years of travelling from Launceston as the driving force behind his decision.
His playing group were not aware until after Friday's result, with Thorp saying he wanted to look his young players in the eye and explain the reason and he did not want to distract them in the lead-up to what was such a big game.
Devonport lost Thorp’s final match in charge by eight points, 13.14 (92) to 12.12 (84), with his side making two unsuccessful comebacks from more than five goals down.
They conceded 6.2 to 1.2 in the first term before cutting the margin to 10 points at the long break.
The Dockers again took control in the third term with the aid of the breeze to lead by 35 points at the last change
It ensured his young side finished with a 2-16 record and eighth place on the table.
Their only two wins coming against Burnie in round 12 and against the Tigers in round 18.
The South Launceston premiership coach took over from Max Brown at the end of 2014.
He guided the club to successive elimination final exits against Lauderdale before this season’s list rebuild.
Burnie’s win allowed them to match Devonport with a 2-16 record, but the Dockers “won” the State League wooden spoon due to inferior percentage.