This is the toughest time of the year for coaches whose teams are underperforming.
But it is also the time when the clock winds back to what football is all about. Have a look at Monday night's game between the Dogs and Manly.
That had all the ingredients of what rugby league has always been about. Tough, skilful and exciting. But the game is timeless, despite what some think.
Sure there are a few rule changes every now and then, but basically league is the simple game it has always been.
But professionally there have been significant changes and I wonder if the old system was better.
Players and coaches are certainly better off now because they operate without the fear a result-driven pay packet delivers.
Nowadays it usually makes no difference financially to players whether they win, lose, draw or even make the team.
In most cases they get a set amount into their bank accounts each month.
Performance-based contracts bring a different edge and mentality. When I coached it was always a performance-based arrangement but never once did I have a written contract.
I didn't need one because of a couple of little things known as trust and loyalty.
I operated with a handshake knowing the wrong results meant the bullet.
Fortunately for me it never happened, but I was under no illusion it could.
The game has now made itself a victim of its own finances.
My view is that non-performance contracts have brought with them an ordinariness that in earlier days would not have been tolerated.
<i>Graham Lowe</i>: Non-performance contracts add taint of mediocrity
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.