Sharks officials were yesterday disappointed to learn that the Norm Smith medallist had left Warrnambool just weeks after establishing his family in the city.

Pickett, 32, his wife Rebecca and their five young children were transported by taxi to the Warrnambool train station on Monday afternoon before catching a bus to South Australia.

He told informed sources he was heading back to Ceduna for a few days, before moving on to Adelaide.

Pickett said his wife was homesick and that had prompted the move.

Sharks president Greg Wood was yesterday disappointed to hear that Pickett had left the city but not completely surprised.

He said Pickett, who had been helping with the under 17s, had not been at training for a week.

“We’ve done a lot to help Byron and his family. We’ve been involved in him securing employment, housing and basically furnished the house,” he said.

“We’ve done the best we could so it is disappointing, very frustrating. The Sharks community pulled together to give Byron an opportunity to play outside the AFL and we don’t seem to have come up with the result we had hoped for.”

Deakin only put in a clearance form for Pickett last Thursday.

Wood said the investment was not a lot in terms of dollars, but there was a substantial amount of time and effort involved.

“It is disappointing to find out he’s left town and we were entitled to know that. We can’t control the situation if people are homesick,” he said.

“If it’s the case he has gone, then that’s extremely disappointing for us and our young players, who were really enjoying spending time with Byron.

“It’s not a situation we can control and we just have to wish Byron and his family all the best for the future.”

The Sharks president said his club had not chased Pickett.

“Byron came to us and he tried to come up with a deal that would suit everyone,” he said.