ST George Illawarra Dragons have released 12 players from this season's full-time squad.
The "fire sale" is done, 12 players have departed and eleven new faces signed.
Dragons coach Paul McGregor had a stint in hospital for neck surgery, re-aligning three vertebra.
In McGregor's absence, assistant coaches Dean Young and Ben Hornby and the physical conditioning staff, headed by new man Cherry Mescia, looked after proceedings.
McGregor is on the mend and back in charge.
Veteran forward and skipper Ben Creagh told Fairfax Media the high player turnover is inevitable as a new coach looks to put his stamp on the roster.
"When Browny [Nathan Brown] left us, Wayne did let a lot of players go," Creagh said.
"Guys like Jason Ryles and Josh Morris as well.
"They were two quality players and Wayne made the decision before he came, so I have seen it before.
"It's not all end-of-the-world stuff.
"A new coach has come in and taken over and he wants his team."
Dragons chief executive Peter Doust insists the club's decision to release Morris was not related to the club's well-publicised salary cap controversy.
Creagh laughed off suggestions the high player turnover amounted to any crisis.
"I don't think there's any crisis, things are fine," Creagh said.
"They [new coach] come in, they want to make changes."
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