In 2007 he led the Geelong Football Club VFL side to a grand final win over the Coburg Tigers winning 17.24.126 to 7.10.52. To cap a quality season he also was awarded the JJ Liston Trophy for the best and fairest in the VFL. Byrne retired at the end of the 2008 AFL season. He joined Essendon as a Development Coach at the beginning of the 2012 Season.
References
^Holmesby, Russell; Main, Jim (2003). The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers: every AFL/VFL player since 1897 (5th ed.). Melbourne, Victoria: Crown Content. p. 93. ISBN1-74095-032-1.