Walton announced his decision to leave the role at the club's presentation evening after telling the club he did not feel he could commit to the role.

Club president Rodney Matheson said Walton told the committee of his decision at a meeting at the end of the season.

"When we appointed him it was with the option of a second year and we would make an assessment at the end of the season,'' he said.

"Sonny came to us and said he didn't feel he could give 100 per cent without his driver's licence.

"He said he would sooner play and give 100 per cent to playing.''

Matheson said Walton had done an excellent job in his time as coach and believed he would have proved a few doubters wrong.

"He was at every function and every training. He stepped up,'' Matheson said.

"He spoke well and his training was good.''

Matheson said there were a few people who had reservations about his appointment at the start of the year.

"He knew he had a fair bit to prove and he did it well,'' he said.

"He said he had a bit to prove as a player and he wants to do that.''

Great Western is yet to announce a senior coach for the 2009 season.

- Great Western will also throw everything in its power to re-establish an under 14 team for the 2009 Horsham District Football League season.

Matheson said it was vitally import that the Lions returned as a four-team football club after it was forced to withdraw its under 14 team prior to round one this season.

The tough decision was made due to a lack of playing numbers, with the few players that were available then forced to step up into under 17 competition or look elsewhere to play.

"We have to, we can't go another year without,'' Matheson said.

"We need juniors they are the lifeblood of the club.''

Matheson said there was a noticeable difference in the number of youngsters around the club this year, which could also have a flow-on affect into the seniors in the near future.

Matheson said it also made filling reserves and senior boundary and water boy duties difficult throughout the year.

One of the club's favourite sons Dale Hurley has put his hand up to lead the under 14 revival.

Hurley, who missed a majority of the year with an achilles injury, has been named as the official coach of the under 14 team if it is re-established next season.

The Lions' under 14s finished eighth in 2007 with five victories and were knocked out in the preliminary final when the competition was under 13 in 2006.