North Ballarat Roosters last night released a statement via social media that the board would not extend FitzGerald’s contract, which ends this season.

“This decision sends a message of change within the club for its next stage of development as it enters the VFL as a stand-alone team in 2016,” the statement read.

“The board continues to review the organisation’s football structure to ensure that the club is well positioned for sustained success in the VFL. 

“The board believes that these changes will be necessary to ensure that the club can be competitive in the ever evolving VFL landscape.”

Fitzgerald has agreed to coach out the season. The club is working on developing a plan to finalise its football structure and for the appointment of a new head coach.

The former Mortlake and Camperdown coach led the Roosters to a Victorian Football League premiership hat-trick in 2008, ’09 and 2010.

He has coached the Roosters in two stints — the first from 1997, the club’s second season in the league, and returning in 2007, in the early stages of an AFL partial alignment with North Melbourne.

The Roosters and Kangaroos will end their partnership at this season’s end.?— THE COURIER