It was only a few years ago when Dean Pay was looking back at the time he spent in the harness racing industry at home in Dubbo after his playing career had come to an end.
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"I drove a couple of winners and a few mates reckon I was not that good a driver but I beg to differ," he said at the time.
You could understand completely if that was the type of sentiment he felt on Tuesday after his time at the Canterbury Bulldogs came to an end.
Pay is someone who always wanted more.
He coached Dubbo CYMS to the 2007 premiership but felt the club should have won it next year as well while throughout his time at the Dogs he said better times were ahead.
But he won't be there to see those days at Belmore.
After months of rumours and plenty of pressure on his shoulders after poor results, 51-year-old Pay walked out on the club and brought an end to his two-and-a- half-year stint as coach at the NRL club.
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Whether it was driving horses, coaching in Dubbo, serving as an assistant coach at various clubs in Australia and overseas or at the Dogs, Pay strived to be better.
He's been a winner as well. Outside his playing days - where he won a premiership at the Dogs and represented both NSW and Australia - he coached CYMS to the title, he drove winners on the track, and as assistant to Ricky Stuart at the Raiders he helped them develop into an NRL force.
But after winning just 19 of 57 games as Bulldogs coach he and the club's board came together to decide it was in the best interest of all involved to part ways.
"I'd like to thank the Bulldogs for the opportunity to be the head coach at a club that has always meant so much to me," Pay said in a statement.
Kevin Walkom is one who worked closely with Pay during his time in Dubbo and the former CYMS president and chairman has no doubt he'll bounce back.
"Personally, I don't think this reflects on the man's ability to coach, Walkom said.
"He'll bounce back and this gives him time to reflect on what's happened over the past two years and what experiences he takes forward with him.
"I wish him all the best and this will be a good experience for him and set him moving forward whichever way he wants to go."
Pay always divided opinion as the Bulldogs coach.
While the wins were few and far between many of his supporters have highlighted the lack of talent at his disposal, with salary cap issues forcing out the likes of David Klemmer, the Morris brothers Josh and Brett, Moses Mbye, Aaron Woods and Josh Reynolds in Pay's first year in the job.
Kieran Foran, Dylan Napa and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak have been the only major signings during Pay's time in charge but the former has been blighted by injuries.
Bulldogs chief executive Andrew Hill said it was tough to see someone who has been so involved with the club walk away but added it was time for something new.
"The fact is though that the club and Dean have decided that we needed to move in a different direction to take the team forward and Dean was in agreement that now was the right time for both parties to part ways," Hill said.
"We did not rush into this decision and have taken our time to look at what was best for the club in regard to success moving forward.
"I'd like to thank Dean for his contribution over the past three years and all the hard work and passion he has given to the club."
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Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
