Tigers chief executive Grant Mayer sat down with Potter for an hour on Wednesday morning to inform him of the decision. While Potter will take time to digest the news, it is understood he could soon be back in the coaching ranks at another joint-venture outfit, as the Dragons are understood to be looking for a new assistant to the recently installed head coach Paul McGregor. Craig Young and Ian Millward are the present deputies at the Dragons but a complete review of football operations is being undertaken.

Potter has a rich history at the Red V, having won one of his two Dally M medals there in 1991. He also coached the club's Premier League side for four years, a period in which the side enjoyed premiership glory.

However, that did not translate into success at the Tigers, where his two-year stint was cruelled by a horror injury toll and instability in the boardroom, which resulted in continued speculation about his future. Not even three separate presentations to the board over the past six weeks, in which the former fullback presented his blueprint for the club's future, was enough to save him.

The Tigers resolved to appoint Potter's successor no later than October 27, with a view to commencing pre-season training on November 3. The fact Kidwell and Payten are also off contract means whoever gets the gig can assemble their own team without being shackled to incumbent staff.

There has been a push for Griffin, who is available now that his Broncos commitments are over, but other candidates also have claims. Kidwell is respected by the playing group, while Taylor has a rich history with the Magpies, a factor that could play a role because of the recent power shift towards the Western Suburbs side of the joint venture. Brown and Parish were considered the last time the job was available, while Payten is tipped to miss out and instead link with former Canberra teammate Andrew McFadden at the Warriors.