St George Illawarra forward Jack de Belin insists the departure of club favourite Trent Merrin will not derail the Dragons plan to return to NRL finals this year.
Discussion surrounding Merrin's next contract continues to overshadow the lead-up to their round one clash with Melbourne on Monday week.
Merrin and his manager confirmed earlier this week the Origin prop will not be playing in the Red V beyond the 2015 season.
He is yet to decide which club he will call home next year.
De Belin - who has played alongside Merrin since making his NRL debut four years ago - is disappointed his friend is leaving the Dragons but says it won't have any adverse affect on the playing group throughout the season.
"That's just football, it happens," de Belin said.
"It's a business in a sense, people move on or people get asked to leave.
"Football doesn't last forever so while you're playing you've just got to enjoy it and make the most of it.
"Whatever Trent does in his football career is entirely up to him and if he wants to go elsewhere the ball's in his court.
"He's served the Dragons very well and I know he's going to have a successful career whatever he does."
Merrin is reportedly being chased by rival clubs Penrith, Cronulla, Warriors and Brisbane as he counts down to his final game with the Dragons.
No matter where he ends up in 2016, de Belin says Merrin's influence on his own career will not be forgotten.
"I'd probably say the professionalism, he's so professional in everything he does," de Belin said.
"He might not be the biggest or be the fastest, but whatever he does he gives 100 per cent.
"Whatever he does off the field as well he does to the best of his ability, he's very professional."
All players agree Merrin's departure will leave a sizeable hole in the team's forward pack.
The Dragons have already been accused of being "soft" in the middle of the field and too small to compete with bigger forwards.
Willie Mason mocked St George Illawarra players during the last round of 2014 in Newcastle.
Dragons' power packet Tyson Frizell admits the taunts were hurtful but has tried to block out the criticism.
"That was last year, we've got a new playing roster and a different kind of culture in the team," Frizell said.
"We're not too worried about what other people are saying at the moment.
"We're looking forward to the season ahead and we can only let our actions do the talking."
The Dragons have brought in rookie forward Rulon Nutira and experienced big-man George Rose during the off-season to bulk up the team.
