That was the 27-year-old's classy response to a decision that saw the club's social media channels flooded with outrage on Tuesday, the same day its push to sign Israel Folau was revealed.

McInnes was tight-lipped on the latter, but insisted there is no bad blood despite the club's decision not to offer him a deal beyond 2021, saying it fundamentally came down to his desire to have his future sorted prior to season kickoff.

"The club's already mentioned we were on different time frames," McInnes said.

"With the new staff coming in the club's in a bit of a transition and they've got a lot to work out in terms of salary cap and roster and how it needs to look. From my standpoint, I'm at a time in my career where I wanted something done sooner rather than later.

"Throughout the whole process the club's been really honest with me and I respected that because the club's done a lot for me. For them to be so open and honest with me is all any player wants. There was nothing [said] about not wanting to keep me or anything like that, it was just the time frame.

"I wanted it done as early as possible. I like to have everything set in place so I can concentrate on what I need to do for this club. They were honest in saying that the time frame didn't work to have it done that quickly. As far as I'm concerned, I've still got another year and great opportunity and, when it's all said and done, I'll be leaving on great terms."

Read more: Dragons eager to end Israel Folau's NRL exile

It remains a tough pill to swallow for Dragons fans, with the skipper having claimed club Player of the Year honours the past two seasons and forced his way into Brad Fittler's NSW squad at the end of last year. It's a fine body of work in a club that's lacked it, but McInnes said he isn't immune to the scrutiny that's accompanied two disappointing campaigns back to back.

"No one's bigger than the club," he said.

"I'm a player at this club and all those accolades are sweet, but we've finished 15th and 12th the last couple of years. This is the decision's been made, it's not an easy one, I love the club, I'm sure we all wish things were different, but we can't hide from the fact the last couple of years haven't been great so the club needs to look at what it needs to do for the future.

"I understand their situation and they're trying to build the club up for future success. This year's a great opportunity to start that and, as far as any emotion, I take that out of it because the club needs to do what's best for the club. I just wanted it done quicker than they were able to do. It didn't mean they didn't want to get it done, It didn't mean I didn't want to stay, this is just how its worked out.

"I always wanted to stay but things change and the opportunity came up to have it done earlier in the piece and have my future sorted and it gives the club a great opportunity to move on to what needs to happen for the future to get the club back to where it needs to be.

"I'm still a part of that for this season and I'll be doing all I can. We don't know how long we have in this game and things can change overnight so to have it sorted is good for me going into the season."

McInnes was also quick to squash suggestions the club's reported pursuit of Andrew McCullough or a firm desire to play hooker had anything to do with his departure.

"I want the club to be successful on the field so if Andrew McCullough was to come I think he'd add a lot to the team with his experience and toughness," McInnes said.

"In terms of playing hooker or lock, I've said all along, I don't care. For some reason no one took my word for that, but I'll say right now I don't care. I've signed with the Sharks as a lock and I wouldn't be going somewhere for four years if I wasn't happy to play that position.

"It's probably why the Cronulla deal stayed [under the radar] because everyone was looking at which clubs had hooker openings. If the Dragons want me to play lock, I'm a hundred per cent ready for that, if they want me to play hooker I'll do that too, I just want to win. If Andrew McCullough were to come I think he'd help us do that so that's how I see it."

He also refuted any suggestions his closeness to former coach Paul McGregor had led to a strained relationship with new coach Anthony Griffin, saying he admires his hard-nosed approach.

"I'll squash all that right now because it couldn't be further from the truth," McInnes said.

"[Being in] the Origin squad, unfortunately I wasn't able to be back at training until after Christmas but I had spoken with Hook a couple of times and, since being back, I've absolutely loved the last few weeks of training. His toughness and approach to footy is something I really admire.

"I've only known him for three-four weeks now and I'm still getting to know him. That's the unique nature of this situation but we have a great relationship we're still building and I'd like to keep building it throughout the year."

Whether it means he retains the captaincy in his final year in Wollongong remains to be seen.

"We haven't had those discussions," McInnes said.

"When Hook came in he said to all of us 'don't worry about leadership groups and captaincy or what not, let's just rip in and start to build something. We'll talk about that when footy comes'.

"I'd love to be captain but if the club need to go in another direction for the future I completely understand.

''I'll be doing whatever I can to help that person and be a leader in my own right."