Cronulla Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon’s career comes full circle
Incoming Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon has wasted no time outlining what he wants to change at the club and how he’s going to do it.
NRL
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When he was the Cronulla ball boy, Craig Fitzgibbon ran around on Shark Park following Gavin Miller’s every move.
As Fitzgibbon sat back down from his first official speech as head coach at a Cronulla club function on Friday, Miller walked towards his old ball boy, stuck out his hand and smiled.
“I don’t even need to say anything, just perfect,’’ Miller said.
These days happen only so often in sport.
Like an old family member coming home, they are special days.
Proud. Hopeful. Nostalgic. Almost romantic.
Rugby League went full circle at Kareela golf club on Friday, where in front of a Covid-safe number of 75 VIP’s, including Cronulla club legends Andrew Ettingshausen, Miller and key sponsors, Fitzgibbon declared his time as an assistant coach was over and that it was “time to get to work.’’
Pulling on the black, white and blue again – 31-years after his father and former Sharks coach Allan Fitzgibbon coached the club – Fitzgibbon spoke extensively for the first time about his deliberately patient journey and transition from champion Roosters forward to premiership and State of Origin-winning assistant coach, to be in the NRL hot seat for Cronulla in 2022.
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WHY THE SHARKS
Fitzgibbon’s loyalty to the Roosters and head coach Trent Robinson was the overriding factor in why he passed up previous head coaching offers from the Warriors and Dragons.
But last April, Fitzgibbon made the call to start his head coaching venture at the Sharks.
“I never got too serious about looking at other opportunities because I didn’t think I was ready,’’ Fitzgibbon told the room.
“I needed to be 100 per cent. I was ready to coach and I also wanted the club to fit.
“I wanted to represent the club well and I wanted the club to represent what I’m about and what I’m about is, I want to win.
“I just don’t want to be a coach. I want to win.
“And I felt like the club, in a number of ways, looked attractive. There’s obviously an element of nostalgia there.
“It’s hard to ignore that my father coached the Sharks, I was a ball boy, I lived in Cronulla for 10-years while I was at the Roosters.
“That helped the decision, but I also needed to be sure I wasn’t taking a position on nostalgia — there’s a bit more to consider than that.’’
PLAYING STYLE
The erosion of Cronulla’s hardened DNA and defensive edge was a major factor in the club finishing ninth in 2021, the first time since 2014 they had missed the finals.
Fitzgibbon, 44, with his defensive coaching resume will attempt to return steel to the Sharks – but mindful of not silencing their attacking weapons including Will Kennedy, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Blayke Brailey, Sione Katoa and Jesse Ramien.
“I really wanted them to make the semi finals this year,’’ Fitzgibbon said.
“Any player who makes the finals and doesn’t progress will tell you how much it burns.
“And it actually excites me, in talking to the players so far, how much they’re still hurting.
“You can’t ignore the excitement of watching them play, they throw the ball around really well.
“We’ve got some good flair, but on top of that I want everyone to make sure we’re a team that our fans can be proud of and that every time we take the field we’re bloody hard to beat.’’
COACHING STAFF
Some rookie coaches wouldn’t dare surround themselves with assistant coaches who have a desire to also be NRL coaches.
But Fitzgibbon has placed like-minded coaches Josh Hannay, Steve Price and Daniel Holdsworth around him in 2022.
“I wanted someone who had been a head coach before and that was Pricey,’’ Fitzgibbon said.
“He has a host of experience from his time at the Dragons before making a move to Warrington as a head coach.
“Josh I thought was outstanding this year in trying circumstances. In conversation with Josh we struck a real chemistry.
“The position of DJ is crucial because he’s been coaching the junior players for such an extended period of time and if we’re going to have a strong junior nursery that brings players through to the NRL, DJ knows every single one of those players.”
FINUCANE, HYNES AND MCINNES
Without doubt, the trio of signings in Dale Finucane, Nicho Hynes and Cam McInness are key to the Sharks resurgence.
“I had the opportunity to work with Cameron at the end of last year’s (2020) Origin series and I said to him, ‘I’m not sure if I’m going to end up coaching, but when I am, I’m coming for you mate,’’ Fitzgibbon said.
“It’s worked out really well. His intensity and preparation is phenomenal.
“When he walks in the room, it’s on. And we’ve got two of them – Dale is the same. He’s cyborg-like the way he works.
“Every time they walk, talk, prepare and carry themselves you’re on-call and there’s an unwritten contract that if you’re not keeping up, you’re going to be left behind.
“Wade (Graham) has spotted it already working with Cam.’’
With halves Braydon Trindall, Matt Moylan, Luke Metcalf and Connor Tracey at his disposal, Fitzgibbon was asked what position Hynes would play: “A lot of people don’t know that Nicho only started playing fullback 12 to 18-months ago.
‘’He grew-up as a half and has played there most of his life. We’ve signed him as a half.
“Competition for spots makes everyone competitive and we’ve got four really good halves on our books.’’
CRYSTAL BALL
Fitzgibbon’s character is reminiscent of his playing style as an outstanding backrower; hard-nosed and straight to the point.
“There’ll be expectation, it’s part of the deal,’’ Fitzgibbon said.
“I won’t shy away from it, but we haven’t had one training session yet.
“I’m thrilled to be here, I feel really good, but we haven’t achieved anything.
“It’s time to get on the tools and make some stuff happen.’’
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