Henry Slattery says he is grateful for thetime he has spent at the Essendon Football Club as he prepares to move onseeking further opportunities.

Slattery said he had enjoyed his time atthe Bombers over the last eight seasons.

“I have a good relationship with theplayers and coaches at the club and you understand they have to do the bestthing for the team,” Slattery said.

“I probably knew it was coming most of theyear in the way the club wants to go and I didn’t quite fit that, so I can preparemyself for next year.

The 26-year-old said he appreciated all theexperiences he had gained in his 96 AFL matches.

“It’s great being part of an AFL clubparticularly Essendon but when you don’t get that opportunity to play it can bepretty hard,” Slattery told SEN radio.

“They have been great, they are helping mewith everything for next year as well so they have been great in that respectso all I can do is be thankful for that.”

“All I can do is be prepared either way andthe club has been absolutely great in that process so I’m grateful for that.”

Slattery said there was a sense ofdisappointment that his career with Essendon was over but understands it ispart of modern day football.

“It’s a hard pill to swallow but youappreciate them for being honest and that’s the most important thing at the endof the day,” he said.

“It is a really hard time, I have beenthere for eight years so I have seen this happen every year and it is a toughgig being a coach.”

“There is plenty of opportunities for me ifnothing works out with footy so that is great as well.”