ROOKIE Tumut captain-coach Matt Richards was in "shock" yesterday after the Blues lost star prop Anthony Coyle to a rival club.In the biggest upheaval of the off-season, Coyle has quit Tumut to join Group Two powerhouse Woogoolga for 2011.Coyle was a multiple premiership-winner with Tumut and Richards was counting on the formidable New Zealand front-rower to be the backbone of the Blues pack next year."I only found out last night (Sunday) when he rang me (from Coffs Harbour)," Richards confessed yesterday."I didn't think he was going anywhere."Yeah, it was a bit of a shock. I thought he'd stay."Coming only two months after he starred in Tumut's premiership triumph, Coyle's dramatic departure to the north-coast club ends his seven-year bond with the Blues.The imposing Kiwi was only 19 years old when he joined Tumut from New Zealand in 2003, with the flight to Australia his first time in a plane.Coyle, who broke his stay at Tumut to play with Yass for one season, was at the Blues during their most dominant period in Group Nine history.On Coyle's watch, Tumut won four Group Nine titles, topped off with a comprehensive victory over Junee in the grand final in September.Speaking to The Daily Advertiser, Coyle said he had regrets about leaving the mountains, but thought the time was right to move on."I've had plenty of offers and always stayed (at Tumut)," Coyle said."I just decided I wanted a change and Woogoolga seemed the right place."For Richards and co-coaching partner Scott Naughton, Coyle's loss will have a heavy impact.Richards admitted yesterday Coyle would be hard to replace, especially so long into the off-season."We were counting on him (Coyle) being here," Richards said."It's a big blow. We'll just have to see what we can do."Rather than rush into the open market, however, Richards said the Blues were more likely to groom a current player to fill the void."We've got a good bit of depth," he said."Someone will have to step up."It's bit of a challenge because we were thinking we'd have the same team (as this year)."The quality of Tumut's back-up players will be sorely tested as Richards and Naughton try to find substitutes for Coyle and outgoing captain-coach Clay Campbell.After three premierships, Campbell has retired, leaving another huge hole in the pack.Adding to the confusion is speculation Kiwi giant Joseph Ione is also contemplating leaving Tumut.