Club CEO Steve Harris said: "Chris' management advised us this morning that Chris had been somewhat surprised by the quality of our club presentation and strategies, and it was a difficult decision. However the club's training facilities at Junction Oval and the need to train at a variety of grounds over summer was an issue.
“It's well known that new state of the art facilities are due for completion at Olympic Park within 2 years, but we do have this comparative disadvantage.
"While it is very disappointing that Chris will be playing elsewhere next year, the club ought to be quietly satisfied that it had got itself from being a rank "no hope" outsider to being very competitive in the pursuit, and ahead of many clubs who failed to even get his attention.
"This outcome will only sharpen the need for the whole club to work together to ensure we have fully competitive facilities and resources.
"And we know that we have a team very capable of quickly overcoming the 2007 disappointment and getting back into the finals as we were in the three previous years. With a new coach and new football manager, a healthier playing list and with Pick 4 still in our hand, we have plenty of reasons to look forward to the 150th anniversary year in 2008."