A string of bad performances can put any NRL coach under the pump and Dragons halfback Ben Hunt says that inevitably has an effect on the playing group.
The Dragons moved to stifle the issue with Paul McGregor, who signed a two-year extension with the club last week.
"I was in a position at Brisbane with coaching changes and things like that mid-year, and there was a lot of uncertainty. That naturally takes a toll on the players because your focus isn't entirely on the game at hand," Hunt wrote in his column for Big League.
"It's hard to speak for other clubs whose coaches are off-contract, but for players who are off-contract or on the fringe of playing first grade, it's a very nervous time for those guys because that coach may like you, but if he's sacked then you're unsure whether the new coach will want you in their plans."
Hunt is confident McGregor is the man to take the club to a premiership.
"Since joining the club, I've seen his plans play out. We've got a certain game plan that we've got down here and he wanted me to execute that, but he also wants me to play my style of footy with that off-the-cuff ability that augments the structure we have. I like what we're building towards, and it's great that Mary has a couple more years to oversee it."
To read more, pick up your Big League from all good newsagents, the ground or .