Western Force players will have a big say in the short-term future of departing coach Richard Graham, who has resigned to take charge of Super Rugby champions the Queensland Reds.

Graham is expected to finish the year in Perth but some players have privately expressed disquiet and believe he should sever his ties before their season restarts in 10 days against the Stormers.

The squad will meet tomorrow before training to discuss the situation.

Most players were shocked when Graham fronted them personally or told them by phone on Monday that he had decided to return to his native Queensland. Some senior players like captain David Pocock had been made aware of his decision a week earlier.

Pocock said the squad would have "a good chat" at the meeting.

"Until we speak with all the guys we won't know fully what's happening but we just have to keep driving through," he said.

If the players want Graham to leave, the Force board could not ignore their concerns, would likely let him go early and put one of his assistant coaches, Phil Blake or Nick Stiles, in charge for the last eight games.

If players are happy for him to stay but the club finds a replacement who can start before the end of the season they would also likely part ways.

The board is prepared for either scenario after lengthy discussions about the situation at their Monday night meeting.

They desperately want to appoint a replacement to get involved in contract negotiations with current players like Pocock and to continue talks with other targeted players, including two internationals.

But chief executive Vern Reid said he would be surprised if they were able to name a new coach before the end of the season.

Reid said Pocock would be taking an increased role in player recruitment in the next two months and he and other senior players would have a say on the new coach.

He was confident Graham would continue in a professional manner.

"I have every confidence," Reid said. "I would imagine the players would rise to the occasion once they've got through the situation.

"We need to rely on the professionalism of all the staff and the players and the whole system to see us through an incident like this."
"Until we speak with all the guys we won't know fully what's happening but we just have to keep driving through." "Force captain *David Pocock *