Sharks respond as ‘filthy’ Josh Morris requests release to join Roosters
Cronulla have wasted little time making a call on the future of veteran centre Josh Morris, who wanted an immediate release to join his brother at the Roosters. READ THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT
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Cronulla veteran Josh Morris’ request for a release so that he can join his brother at the Roosters has formally been rejected.
The Sharks knocked back the NSW Origin star’s desire to be released on Tuesday morning via correspondence with his manager, David Riolo.
Morris was keen to link with twin brother Brett at the premiers where he could play centre, as the Roosters answer to a vacancy in their backline.
Cronulla were loathe to let Morris, 34, go for a number of reasons including the minimal impact his departure would have on easing significant pressure on their strained salary cap.
However, the overwhelming reason for the Sharks to reject Morris’ request is that he is pivotal to the Sharks’ backline, particularly ahead of round one with Matt Moylan (hamstring) and Bronson Xerri (off-season shoulder surgery) racing to be fit for the start of the season.
Morris has the ability to play centre, wing and fullback should Xerri or Moylan miss the start of the campaign.
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“There was an inquiry there, but myself as head coach of the Sharks, I’ve got to make sure I put out a competitive team on the park every single week that can win footy games and hopefully win the grand final and Josh Morris is our most-experienced player,” said Sharks coach John Morris.
“What are we to do? Let our most-experienced player walk out 32 days before the competition starts? I think our members, fans and sponsors deserve better than that.
“So he’ll be here in 2020.
“At the end of the day, I’ve got to stand for something and that is that we’re all committed and we want to win for the Sharks.
“Knowing Josh Morris, he’s the ultimate professional who hasn’t missed a session all pre-season. He rips in, he helps all the young guys and leads from the front.
“I’m hoping this will be water off a ducks back for him.
Morris trained with the Sharks on Tuesday morning and will travel to Perth after being included in Cronulla’s NRL Nines squad.
Morris was “filthy” on the Cronulla Sharks when coach John Morris signed Jesse Ramien from the Newcastle Knights.
Morris asked for a release to play the final year of his career at the Sydney Roosters, alongside his brother Brett.
The 33-year-old Origin star raised his concerns late last year with Morris, according to his agent David Riolo.
“Josh was disappointed the club signed someone above him,” Riolo told The Daily Telegraph.
“Nothing at all against Jesse but, as a senior player, it can be hard to take. But that’s life and Josh just got on with it although he was pretty filthy. We flagged it with the club back then.
“Again, it’s not Jesse. The club made the decision which they are entitled to do.”
The Roosters want him as a replacement for rookie Billy Smith, who had been earmarked to replace Latrell Mitchell in the centres.
Riolo says Morris was reluctant to ask the Sharks for the release.
“He agonised for four days about approaching them,” Riolo said. “He likes John Morris and he loves the players.
“He wants to go because he wants to finish his career with his brother and play in his preferred position as a centre. That’s all this is about.”
Riolo insists there is no financial gain to switch clubs.
“The Roosters are prepared to pay exactly what he is on at the Sharks,” Riolo said.
“He’s got a contract at Cronulla and he respects that but the conditions have changed. He was signed as a centre but understands nothing is guaranteed.
“An appealing opportunity came up and that’s what he wants to do.”
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Fox Sports’ James Hooper reported the Sharks would block the request to quit. This is despite the fact Ramien and Bronson Xerri would be the preferred choices as starting centres for the opening of the season.
The Sharks are also dealing with the delicate situation surrounding $900,000 outside back Josh Dugan.
“We still waiting for a response from the club,” Riolo said. “It’s not right that we are reading about in the media.”
Morris is just 14 games shy of becoming a 300-game NRL player at Sharks, Bulldogs and St George Illawarra Dragons since he started in 2007.
Cronulla’s head of football Phil Moss was unavailable for comment last night. Josh Morris declined to comment.
Originally published as Sharks respond as ‘filthy’ Josh Morris requests release to join Roosters
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