TIMING is everything, particularly in the spontaneous and combustible world of the NRL. In all likelihood, timing yesterday cost Jason Taylor his job at South Sydney.
Rabbitohs officials made it clear a year of off-field atrocities had played a part in their decision to sack Taylor over his spat with forward David Fa'alogo at the club's end-of-season celebrations.
While Souths have managed to steer clear of trouble for the vast majority of a tumultuous season, it didn't save Taylor from feeling the sharp end of the axe.
"This is about the reputation not only of South Sydney, it's about the reputation of rugby league, it's about the reputation of people who support rugby league," Souths chairman Nick Pappas said. "Our game has come under enormous scrutiny this year. That reputation has become extremely fragile. Anyone who plays with that reputation must do so with great caution.
"That's what lies at the heart of this matter and that's what lies at the heart of our deliberations - that if you play with the reputation of rugby league, if you play with the reputation of a rugby league club that is associated with sponsors of the highest credentials, you do so at your peril."
Pappas confirmed club sponsors had voiced their concerns over the latest incident to drag the game through the mud.
It comes at the end of a year like few others. High-profile stars Brett Stewart and Greg Inglis are facing assault charges while a host of other players have either been disciplined by their clubs or the NRL.
While the game has performed strongly on the field, its image off it has rarely been lower. Souths had managed to avoid any collateral damage but that ended when Taylor was punched by Fa'alogo at a Sydney pub 12 days ago.
"I don't think there's any doubt or question that the sponsors out there are fed up with this type of publicity and this type of reaction," Souths chief executive Shane Richardson said.
"If we sit out there and think that's not the case we're kidding ourselves. We're being honest about what we feel about our brand and reputation.
"This is not an easy decision. Jason and I have worked together for three years. The reality is the board felt we could not let this go without taking action regarding it. Unless we as a game take positive action without slaps on the wrist, and warnings, and sometimes fake apologies, we're kidding ourselves.
"(NRL chief executive) David Gallop has made the point, and he is absolutely so accurate, at the club level we know the situations and we know the effect it has on us as a club."
Gallop, who spoke to Souths co-owner Russell Crowe at his property in the Coffs Harbour hinterland on Wednesday night, reiterated he and the NRL had played no part in the decision to sack Taylor.
He also endorsed the Rabbitohs' decision to take disciplinary action against its coach.
"Having said that, coaches are in a critical position at clubs and have standards expected of them," Gallop said. Those standards, it would seem given comments by Souths officials, are heavily influenced by expectations of sponsors. The Rabbitohs are among the most well-heeled clubs in the NRL. This season, they will be the only Sydney side to return a profit without leagues club support.
Their sponsors include blue-chip companies NAB, Virgin Blue and DeLonghi, who have been lured to the Rabbitohs thanks to the club's changed image under Crowe, co-owner Peter Holmes a Court and Richardson.
"I can say to you based on conversations I have had with them that there was serious concern among our senior sponsors ranks about the effect this was going to have on the reputation of the club to which they have tied their fortunes," Pappas said.