Moss Vale Dragons first grade head coach, Jeco Makatoa has been stood down by the club after 18 months at the helm.
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Following the death of Moss Vale's former head coach Steve Folkes, Makatoa stepped up and filled the role.
Moss Vale Dragons president Paul Maloney said it was time to part ways with Makatoa.
"We felt like we were going down hill and weren't improving," Mr Maloney said.
"The playing group was losing interest because of the big losses and he didn't seem to have any plan in action to improve.
"He's had 18 months, won three games out of 23 and we feel we were going no where. Something had to be done to try and keep the local players on board. We thought it was better to part ways."
Mr Makatoa said the decision was a "fair call" but the club lacked first grade experience or "old heads to help in first grade."
"I have no disrespect to the players out there, but last year I probably had one maybe two players from the club who were first grade level," he said.
The announcement that Makatoa was being stood down was made at training on May 28.
"After it was announced the vibe among the players seemed to be pretty positive," Maloney said.
"We will see after the next training session which players will be staying on."
A replacement, full-time coach has not been selected yet, but a familiar face will fill the role for the mean time.
"We're negotiating with a couple of people," Maloney said.
"In the meantime, our club captain Brad Muelman will be a stand in."
Injuries have been a massive blow to the Dragons this season. It has hindered the momentum of players.
"We've had a dozen injuries in the firsts," Maloney said.
"We'll see what numbers we've got, and hopefully put up a competitive side against the Oaks.
"Hopefully a few of those in the dozen injured will be back. This is a bit of an unknown for us, so we've got to to stay positive."
Mr Makatoa told the Southern Highland News in a statement that most team members were reserve grade players and "that's not their fault at all."
"I took players from reserves this year which I had to, because once again we didn't have enough first grade experience at the club," he said.
"When I had a full strength team we matched it with Camden, Picton, and Mittagong for 60-70 minutes, then we won back to back games.
"We then copped a few bad injuries and I ended up having seven of my first grade players playing a whole game of reserves, then a whole game of first grade.
"I'm unsure how he [Mr Maloney] expected to win games with so many team members playing two games straight and four wingers on the bench.
"There's a few things where I can put my hand up and take full blame.
"However, to lose sleepless nights - some nights over the off season - stressing about players to sign with the club and reaching out to others to play for me and help the club, just to get told by Paul over the phone that my contract has been terminated was a bit harsh and disrespectful I thought.
"I wish them the best for the future."
