John Morris’ blunt message to hopeful Sharks as he promises to rebuild fire ravaged community
Cronulla coach John Morris expects two of his young bulls to share the void left by Paul Gallen’s retirement, but warned his Sharks that ‘those who work the hardest will get rewarded’.
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Cronulla coach John Morris expects young guns Billy Magoulias and Jack Williams to share the void left by the retirement of long-term lock and Sharks legend Paul Gallen.
The Sharks’ pack will look starkly different this season when, for the first time since 2001, a Cronulla side has not featured 348-game veteran Gallen.
Williams, 23, has been part of the Sharks’ top squad for the past two seasons, playing 28 games mainly from the bench.
Magoulias, 22, has just two NRL appearances to his name but the rampaging lock has long been considered a first-grader in the making.
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“They will share the jumper, who starts I’m not quite sure that’s why the pre-season is really important for both of them,” Morris said.
Sharks forward Aaron Woods gave an insight into the race to replace Gallen, revealing who he would pick if forced to select a starting lock.
“Jack Williams will probably be lock, he’s had an enormous pre-season,” Woods said.
“But it’s hard to say, there’s still competition … all the boys have been training that well so it’s hard to single out one person.”
The outside backs looms as Morris’ other major selection headache. While premiership winner Sosaia Feki has left, they added one-time Shark Jesse Ramien who will compete with the likes of Josh Morris, Bronson Xerri and Josh Dugan for two centre spots.
“It’s a good problem to have,” Morris said. “I would be very surprised if we get through a year and we don’t need extra outside backs.
“Those who work the hardest will get rewarded. It’s competition. I can’t be any more blunt than that.”
Morris has a mantra for the Shire club and stood up in front of 200 Sharks players to delivered the simple message; respect those have gone before you in that jersey.
Morris is about to embark on his second season as head coach of the Sharks. He took charge of a whole of club session on Thursday with players from the clubs under-16s through to the NRL taking part.
He ran the same session 12 months ago when he was still interim coach.
“It’s one thing I’ve tried to do since I’ve been in charge is bring the whole club together,” Morris said. “The theme we’re working on is legends who left an imprint on this club.”
Premiership winners Luke Lewis and were there to lend a hand. So too club greats in Brett Kimmorley and Mitch Healey.
Morris split the squads into six groups comprised of legends names such as Gallen, Lewis, Greg Pierce, Cliff Watson, Gavin Miller, Steve Kneen.
At the end of the session it was up to players from the NRL squad to tell the rest of the group what made these Sharks six so important to the club.
“Guys who led the way playing tough and competing hard,” Morris said. “That’s what I want to try and teach all these young kids. If you want to be a Shark, this has to be your DNA.
“I was lucky to come through at a club in Newcastle that was big on culture and the guys who went before them.”
A great afternoon with all Sharks teams training together 🙌ðŸ¼#UpUpCronulla pic.twitter.com/TnVvn2ruFz
— Cronulla Sharks FC (@Cronulla_Sharks) January 9, 2020
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The Sharks also launched their bushfire appeal with players kickstarting donations by placing money into a bucket at the end of training. The club is finalising online auctions of some of their players memorabilia while Morris has pledged to send the entire squad to help with the rebuild of a community later this month.
“My sister is in Narooma,” Morris said. “They are OK but a lot of their friends have been impacted.
“Because it’s an emergency site we can’t get access to it.
“We want to find a little footy club who has lost everything and rebuild it. It could be another sporting club or a school. We want to get that assistance out and throughout the Cronulla sharks help rebuild it.”
Originally published as John Morris’ blunt message to hopeful Sharks as he promises to rebuild fire ravaged community