What’s the Buzz: Secrets before John Morris’ Sharks dismissal
A recruitment meeting that John Morris knew nothing about is a typical example of the way he has been treated by Cronulla.
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The Cronulla Sharks held a secret meeting at a beachside coffee shop in November last year with Penrith Panthers star Matt Burton, his mum and his manager.
It was so secret that not even coach John Morris knew about it. True story.
The meeting was privately organised by Sharks chief executive Dino Mezzatesta and a Cronulla board member, both of whom chose to keep Morris in the dark.
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No wonder Burton didn’t sign.
Mezzatesta couldn’t answer questions about the head coaching role beyond 2021 or why Morris hadn’t been invited to the meeting to sell his vision and his plans. Not surprisingly Burton left and then signed with the Canterbury Bulldogs.
Morris found out about the meeting via an item in this column on November 9.
The bungled talks with Burton are a typical example of the disgraceful way Morris has been treated by the Sharks.
Seriously, could you imagine any other NRL head coach being excluded from such a crucial player negotiation with the hottest young talent in the game?
Ironically Burton had been high on a list of potential recruits Morris had weeks earlier presented to the Sharks board in his 32-page 2020 season review.
In the report, Morris also told the board it was crucial to sign Toby Rudolf, Will Kennedy and Connor Tracey on new deals. The three of them remain unsigned.
Mezzatesta’s role in the Morris sacking has infuriated club members. Passionate fans are in meltdown. Interestingly, the Sharks CEO is close to Phil Gould and often seeks his advice on footy matters.
Hopefully not on this Morris decision because the last two coaches Gould sacked — Ivan Cleary and Anthony Griffin — are running first and fourth with the Panthers and Dragons.
The Morris dismissal could be a blunder just as embarrassing.
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Originally published as What’s the Buzz: Secrets before John Morris’ Sharks dismissal
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