MY time at Brighton has been very special but I haven't been given many opportunities this season. And from being left out of the squad in the last month or so, I wasn't expecting to get offered a new contract when I went in to see the management on Tuesday.

No matter how I did in Reserves games, it wasn't going to change the manager's mind.

I wasn't very happy about it, but I'd already come to terms with it when I went in.

My face didn't fit with this management, and it wasn't rocket science to realise that I wasn't wanted.

I'm open to options about my future. I'm only 28 and have played more than 100 games in the Championship so want to stay in the Football League.

I've turned down a three-year contract back in Australia, which people might think I'm mad to do, but my wife and I aren't ready to go back home yet.

We'll go back one day but love living in England too much at the moment.

• I've loved my time playing at Brighton.
  
  I joined three months before the play-off final and that day was unbelievable.
  
  Seeing all the blue and white shirts in the crowd that day just gave me goosebumps.
  
  Another highlight was the win at Crystal Palace. I didn't know of the rivalry until I joined, but it was great to see how much it meant to everyone.
  
  And it's been a highlight to meet all the people that I have. A lot of the club's supporters are now my friends and I've got no regrets about my time at the club.
  
  You never know what kind of reception you'll get when you go back to an old club, but hopefully I'll get a good reception from the Brighton fans if I ever play for another club at Withdean.
  
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