NZ Warriors captain Tohu Harris is more than happy for club management to handle the search of finding a new head coach, but did have one wish - that they bring back the fun.
Nathan Brown parted ways with the NRL club earlier this week after he informed owner Mark Robinson and CEO Cameron George he couldn't commit to their upcoming relocation to Auckland due to family reasons.
The Warriors have endured a torrid season on and off the field that has left them two spots off the bottom of the ladder. From star prop Matt Lodge's early exit to a string of back-to-back defeats, it's been a forgettable few months.
Club legend and backs coach Stacey Jones has been entrusted with the poisoned chalice, at least until the end of the season.
Harris admits the players feel responsible for Brown's sudden departure, but hopes whoever does come in as the new coach can help bring back some excitement.
"We need to enjoy what we do. We're privileged to do what we do as players, coming in every day and enjoying what we do and getting that fun back.
"As kids, you play footy because it's fun, you play with your friends, you play with your family, so to get that enjoyment back.
"But at this level, you need to have effort as well, we need to make sure we're putting in the effort in the right areas and being more resilient when things don't go the way we plan.
"Hopefully moving forward, that is something we can really build on.
"The players are disappointed because we feel like we've a hand in what's gone on. If our performances were better, or we had better results, maybe what happened wouldn't have happened.
"We really need to look ourselves in the mirror and get our performances right, especially with Stace coming in.
"Hopefully we can finish the year strong, and get him off to a great start as the head coach."
The message in training this week from Jones has been a clear one - keep it simple. Harris believes the 'less is more' approach will serve them well against the Cronulla Sharks on Sunday.
"Stace has pushed everything to be simple, especially with what's been going on," he said.
"Things aren't changing too much with what Browny had us doing but we just want to make the important thing is we execute it.
"We've kept it simple and we haven't changed a whole heap. We have stripped back our planning, we're a bit clearer on our roles."
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