ADAM Perry can be forgiven for stewing over the decision whether to coach Brothers again next year.
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Right now it seems Perry can choose to stay for a third season or walk away when the Brethren complete their Group Nine campaign on August 31.
The date is the week before start of the Group Nine finals - and that's something Brothers will not need to contend with this year.
Just to refresh - the Brethren are an absolute basket case.
In successive weeks they've been hammered unmercifully by Gundagai (52-20) and Southcity (60-6), and are headed for more of the same pain against Albury at Greenfield Park on Sunday.
This game has the hallmarks of a complete and utter slaughter on the border.
In the red corner are the Thunder, who can spit out points at Gatlin-gun speed.
Across the ring will be the battered Brethren, arguably the most tackle-shy team in the Group Nine premiership.
Although there are no actual statistics to support this view, it is a safe bet after the way the Brethren have folded in the past couple of games.
Rather than just keep trying to knock over the Tigers and Bulls ball-runners, some Brothers "defenders" have been guilty of virtually waving them past.
Embarrassing is hardly the word for it.
Some say Adam Perry has to take full responsibility - after all, the buck is supposed to stop with the coach.
Yes, this notion is all well and good when it comes to recruitment, game plans, player fitness, team selections and the like.
The parameters definitely change when the players cross the the sideline.
Perry - Wayne Bennett for that matter - can't seriously be blamed when players aren't putting their bodies on the line.
For 10 years, Perry did it with ruthless efficiency at the Bulldogs - he's even got a NRL premiership medal to show for it.
Two weeks ago Perry was furious at the way Brothers defended in the second half of the landslide loss to Gundagai.
He reckoned the team missed a "truckload" of tackles - and it was be impossible to argue.
It happened again when Southcity scored eight tries in 36 minutes on Saturday.
It's a simple fact that the best coach in the world, in any sport, is only as good as his players want him to be.
Think about it. A coach has no control over his players making school-kid errors or, in the case of Brothers, missing countless tackles.
So is it any wonder Adam Perry is debating about staying on at Brothers for another year?
Given the same (or similar) list in 2015, Perry will need to be nothing short of a miracle worker to collect a premiership with Brothers.
As the clock ticks on Perry's tenure, other clubs have moved quickly to settle their coaching plans.
In no way clearing the dead wood, The Notebook takes a look at the Group Nine coaching landscape for next year.
ALBURY
Josh Cale Ben Jeffery
2014 2015
Outcome: After five years, Cale is handing over the reins to rookie Jeffery. Gamble? No way. Cale thinks the time has come to make the transition to a another captain-coach - and he knows the Thunder better than anyone else.
BROTHERS
Adam Perry -----
2014 2015
Outcome: Tough call. Stay or jump? Perry is no quitter, but are the pain and anguish worth it?
COOTAMUNDRA
Mark Elia/Grant Boyd -----
2014 2015
Outcome: Elia and Boyd got the gig almost by default, but have achieved great results as usual. The Bulldogs may go shopping for a fresh coaching face, and keep the old team in reserve again.
GUNDAGAI
Cameron Woo Cameron Woo
2014 2015
Outcome: Hugely successful debut season and right in the mix to end the Tigers 30 years of premiership heartache. James Smart set the foundations, but Woo has continued the build.
JUNEE
Matt Hands Matt Hands
2014 2015
Outcome: The departure of Jade Williams got Hands the job. Hands has since passed the baton to Terry Sloan for safekeeping until next year. The appointment of Hands is a positive move.
KANGAROOS
Adam Hall Adam Hall
2014 2015
Outcome: Mid-last week Hall was re-appointed for next year. Four days later Kangaroos thrashed Young in a massive upset. Clear sign Hall is the right man for the position.
SOUTHCITY
Daniel Fitzhenry Daniel Fitzhenry
2014 2015
Outcome: At a time when Southcity is a perfect model for a successful club in the bush, Fitzhenry has stretched his stay to five years. Age wearies some, but won't stop Fitzhenry from lighting the way.
TEMORA
Michael Henderson Michael Henderson
2014 2015
Outcome: Henderson walked into a tough job, but had no hesitation in staying on for a second year. Henderson says the Dragons will boost their ranks in 2015 - and this has to be a priority.
TUMBARUMBA
Aaron Sweeney -----
2014 2015
Outcome: Will the revolving door claim another casualty? Sweeney may have his detractors, but it is hard to resist his passion and determination. Change in command on the cards. Robbie Byatt could be the man.
TUMUT
Matt Free/Greg Crampton -----
2014 2015
Outcome: Free and Crampton didn't want the job this year - and won't have it next season. Times are tough in Tumut, but the Blues need to chase a captain-coach with a significant profile.
YOUNG
Luke Branighan Luke Branighan
2014 2015
Outcome: Branighan is a perfect fit for the Cherrypickers and should be on deck again. Hard to imagine a better choice.
Group Nine Team of the Week
Fullback: Tim Gustowski (Junee)
Wingers: Cameron Hands (Junee), Lachie Hampton (Albury)
Centres: Will Merritt (Southcity), Matt Rose (Gundagai)
Five-eighth: Adam Hall (Kangaroos)
Halfback: Peter Little (Southcity)
Lock: Glenn Dumbrell (Kangaroos)
Second rowers: Hayden Davis (Kangaroos), Jordan Shepherd (Southcity)
Props: Jamin Jollifee (Kangaroos), Rulon Nutira (Gundagai)
Hooker: James Luff (Gundagai)
- players can be picked out of position
