NRL 2021: Roosters coach Trent Robinson not worried about losing players to Craig Fitzgibbon’s Sharks

As the Sharks prepare to unveil the Craig Fitzgibbon era, Trent Robinson is confident an ‘understanding of the loyalties’ will prevent his current assistant coach from raiding their ranks.

Coach Trent Robinson and assistant Craig Fitzgibbon during Sydney Roosters training at Kippax oval. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Sydney Roosters and Penrith fans are entitled to feel nervous over the mooted coaching partnership of popular assistants Craig Fitzgibbon and Cameron Ciraldo, who are tipped to join forces at cashed-up Cronulla.

Fitzgibbon, who was announced as the Sharks’ new head coach from season 2022 on Tuesday, now faces the unenviable task of filling 15 roster places for next season.

Both the Roosters and Penrith have access to an embarrassment of riches when it comes to playing talent, making them prime targets for rivals such as Cronulla.

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Trent Robinson has the utmost faith in Craig Fitzgibbon.

The Roosters have 20 players off contract in season 2021 and 2022, including Isaac Lui, Daniel Tupou, Joseph Manu, Siosiua Taukeiaho and rising star Sam Walker, who is expected to re-sign with the Tricolours. After agreeing to a one-year extension on Wednesday, Angus Crichton is off-contract again in November.

It’s a similar story at Penrith, where 18 players are off contract in that time.

Penrith defence coach Ciraldo, who is the Shire club’s preferred assistant to Fitzgibbon, has a long history at the club and has played an integral part in developing Penrith’s brightest prospects, including off-contract stars Dylan Edwards, Moses Leota and Tyrone May into first graders.

While Roosters coach Trent Robinson might be banking on a “coaches code” and Fitzgibbon’s integrity to protect his roster from being poached, it hasn’t always panned out that way in the past.

Former Penrith assistant Trent Barrett lured boom playmaker Matt Burton to Belmore when appointed as Canterbury’s new head coach last year.

Darius Boyd’s bond with Wayne Bennett meant the former Brisbane captain followed the mastercoach from the Broncos to St George Illawarra in 2009, then Newcastle in 2012 and back to Brisbane in 2015.

Andrew McCullough and Josh McGuire have reunited with Anthony Griffin in Wollongong following the trio’s time together at Red Hill between 2011-2014.

But for premiership-winning coach Robinson, a poaching raid, especially from Fitzgibbon is not a concern for the Roosters.

“No, there is not that concern,” Robinson said. “There is a code between coaches around how all that works and understanding of the loyalties and where it lies as well.

“It’s a tough one to even question Fitz on that one.”

While Roosters players might be off-limits to Fitzgibbon, Robinson is backing his assistant’s “character” and “standing” in the game to help lure talent to the Shire.

“If you spend time with Fitz you know he’s got the traits that you want to mimic as a young player,” Robinson said.

“He’s got a balance there, he’s got an understanding of what a player goes too and can understand all different levels of players.

Roosters prop Lindsay Collins is off-contract at the end of 2022. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“He’s got good humour as well, he’s light in the way he walks around the office, he can talk to many different people in many different ways. His character is his strength and then he has layered on all the footy knowledge and all the technical and tactical needs as well.”

After playing 229 games for the Roosters, Fitzgibbon then went on to become an assistant coach in 2012. Since then, Fitzgibbon has assisted Robinson to three NRL titles.

“I’m really happy for Fitz, he’s done 20-odd years of service and he’s a life member of this club and we can’t ask anymore of him,” Robinson said.

“He’s ready to go out and be a head coach and go and lead a club.

“He’s been ready for a couple of years but he has also been loyal for that reason.

Fitzgibbon’s loyalty to the Tricolours came to the fore when the rising coach knocked back approaches from the Knights, Warriors and Dragons in the last two years to see out his deal in Bondi.