Matthew Elliott looked a relieved man yesterday but it certainly wasn't because he was leaving the Bulls.

After months of speculation linking him with seemingly every job in Australia he had a concrete offer on the table and was soon to be on his way.

At the press conference to confirm his departure at the end of the season he cut a relaxed figure, no doubt happy that everything was out in the open.

He had made no secret of his desire to return home at some stage to test himself in the cauldron of the National Rugby League and despite signing a new two-year contract with the Bulls recently it always seemed merely a paper exercise before the inevitable offer from Australia lured him away.

But it certainly shouldn't be seen as the slap in the face for the club to match that handed out by Brian Smith when he returned to Australia after just one season in 1996.

Elliott could certainly never be accused of taking the money and running. During his five-year association with the club, firstly as Smith's able assistant and for the last four as head coach, no one could ever question his loyalty and hunger for success.

But, as he stated simply: "It's time to go home.

"I am an Australian and that is where I need to be at this stage of my life - both professionally and domestically.

"I have four young daughters who, because of the demands of this job, have been brought up almost solely by their mother without the support of an extended family we would have back home and that was a big influence.

Not that the House of Elliott hadn't settled.

"The board have been extremely supportive, not only in terms of remuneration but in doing anything to help make our stay comfortable," he said. "It often went beyond the bounds of what might be reasonably expected."

But having won Super League in 1997 and the Challenge Cup this year the challenges for the future were not obvious.

For the man who had won through to a Grand Final as a player with St George in 1992 the ultimate goal is to be a coaching success in the toughest competition in the world.

"I feel I am ready for a crack at it," he said. "Fortunately when the opportunity came along to talk to Canberra in a two-and-a-half-hour interview over the phone I was able to convince them that I was the right man for the job."

The deal is expected to be rubber-stamped over the weekend once Olympic fever dies down and Elliott will have more to say then about his role alongside Mal Meninga.

But with the Aussie Test great already having announced his intention to quit the Raiders after 14 years service as player and coach at Bruce Stadium at the end of the season, Elliott is clearly relishing the opportunity.

Asked whether he might ever return to the British game, he replied: "You never say never but my initial aim is to be coach of Can-berra for ten years."

Elliott returns home with some splendid memories and is eager to help the Bulls in any way he can in the future.

He said: "It would not be right for me to start nominating who should succeed me. That is a matter for the board but if they want my opinion I will certainly do so. If they want my views on overseas players I will be only too willing to help."

But for now Elliott has one last aim - a Grand Final triumph at Old Trafford - and not even yesterday's news will distract him from bidding to finish a great spell in charge on the biggest possible high.