Adam Bettridge doesn't want to be lost to rugby league coaching.
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And he fully supports the move to appoint assistant Steve Kidd as his successor at Macquarie next year.
But for the moment the 2017 premiership-winning mentor remains focused on trying to help the Scorpions return to the finals with five rounds remaining.
And it starts this Sunday with Macquarie, equal last but just two wins outside the top five, hosting a resurgent Lakes at Lyall Peacock Field.
"My focus remains with Macquarie this season and giving ourselves the best chance to play finals," Bettridge said.
"You've only got to look at Lakes the last few weeks to see what a few wins can do if you can manage to string them together. Lakes are always tough, especially against Macquarie, and this will be no different. We have to be up for it."
Macquarie have won just seven of 27 appearances since claiming a Newcastle Rugby League and NSWRL State Cup double in 2017.
They also featured in the 2016 decider.
"I've had a great time at Macquarie," Bettridge said following this week's coaching swap announcement.
"Winning the club's second ever premiership and bringing plenty of juniors through. But at the end of day my job is to win footy games and I haven't been doing that.
"I probably knew my time was up and four years at a club is a long time.
"They needed a change and I support Kiddy 100 per cent."
In terms of what Bettridge will do next
"I'm not sure yet to be honest," he said. "I still want to be involved in coaching in some capacity, but what that is I don't know."
Upcoming opponents Lakes are coming off back-to-back wins for the first time this season and have now jumped from last to sixth, one win short of a semi-final position.
In the match of the round leaders Western Suburbs remain unsure if Matt Herman (ankle) will recover in time to meet second-placed South Newcastle in a top-of-the-table clash at Harker Oval on Sunday.
Title holders Souths haven't dropped a game, five in total, since going down to Wests 19-12 at Townson Oval on May 18 while the Rosellas have most recently scored 175 points and conceded 30 in four straight wins.
Elsewhere on Sunday and the Goannas host Central Newcastle at Cessnock Sportsground.
And in Saturday's sole encounter the Pickers are at home to Kurri Kurri at Maitland Sportsground with both sides on 10 points and in a three-way share of third spot on the overall standings.
Meanwhile, Lakes lower grader Joshua Hayes was suspended for six games for serious official abuse after appearing at the Newcastle RL judiciary this week.