The Baird government hasn't seen a crisis like this before. Whatever course Mike Baird ultimately decides to take upon his return to NSW Parliament on Monday carries grave risk.

Stay firm on the greyhound racing ban, and febrile Nationals MPs may well attempt to bring down their leader, Deputy Premier Troy Grant. The threat of blowing up the Coalition, by voting with Labor to overturn the greyhound ban, has even been dangled, although it is a remote chance.

But back down, in recognition of the resentment in regional NSW, and risk tarnishing the personal brand of a premier who has built his reputation as a conviction politician prepared to stay the course because it is "the right thing to do". Particularly among urban Liberal voters who support the ban.

Dent the Mike Baird brand, and would a Coalition government be electable?