I think his message wasn't carrying the necessary weight anymore, so yes, he was done, but I do think he should have stayed until the end of the year. He should have coached Cotch on his 300th and left the ground with Jack and Cotch in the last game. Gale made a point in one of his recent interviews that he has to think of John O'Rourke and stick around on his behalf. That to me is selfless.
I got the sense from Balme that his first reaction was shock and disappointment -- frustration even-- and then he realised the manner of the departure actually meant it was a good time to move on and get someone eager and modest in the joint again. Hardwick had acted like he was above the fray for a while -- and did so again during the announcement in my view -- and his players had picked that up too. Ill-discipline and self-regard has characterised us for a while now.
I personally don't buy the selfless tag being stitched onto this resignation. If I were the club I would market the event as selfless as well and use it however I could to reinforce the players' belief in their own culture, but I'd be shocked if there weren't some disgruntled opinions behind the scene. I'm sure the club are happy it's been so well-received in the media.
If it's all about the journey and not about the silverware, why did the journey come to an end as soon as silverware was considered unrealistic? Can't have it both ways.
To me it was a very controlling decision -- "I leave you." (He's good at leaving things overnight, I'll give him that.)
Unpopular opinion perhaps, and I could be way off the mark -- it could be undisclosed and urgent mental health pressures, for example. But all in all I'm pretty disappointed in this chain of events, and so on reflection, yeah, it's time to move on.
Okay, throw your tomatoes at me now. 
I will be forever thankful and grateful that Dimma stayed after 2016 and gave us so much joy and memories that will never be forgotten.
That said, IMO his infidelity proved to be his downfall.
Not all players would have given too poos about it but I think some important players were greatly affected. Very disrespectful to have the “new chick” attend Brownlow night and the Jack Dyer medal presentation so soon. Nothing about that is selfless.
With all the talk during our success of vulnerability, connection and family.
We heard of the importance of mindfulness and the famous hardship, highlight, hero.
Senior players, and probably more significant, those players wives, were unwilling casualties of his most “selfish” act anyone at the club had seen before.
By his own admission his voice was done, he publicly stated that this year was “always” going to be his last.
My opinion is (post infidelity)………
1) that he knew that the players at this club weren’t “listening” 100% anymore or his words had lost credibility
2) he knows the only thing that gives him no baggage is a clean slate at another club
3) another club has already given him a job next year
4) leaving on his own terms early gives him enough time away to stay out of the footy spotlight bubble and reset for next season rejuvenated.
5) Cotchin has been very silent (remember his wife’s tweet after discovery)
I think you are right on the money with your opinion about this being anything but a “selfless act”.
This decision has more to do with Dimma and his own personal ambitions.
The more I think about it he will be definitely coaching next season.
If he does I’ll be ok with it unless it’s the blue Cheats (would be a fitting choice for him though )
