Wade Graham calls on Sharks management to make a call on the coaching future of John Morris

Wade Graham has a message for Sharks management. It’s time to make a decision on John Morris – no matter what that decision is.

Sharks captain Wade Graham has called on club management to make a call on the coaching future of John Morris, “one way or another.”

Graham told media at his routine press opportunity on Tuesday that Morris was coaching “as business as usual” and that the playing group was united in not wasting what remains of the 2021 season despite the obvious distraction.

He added that “there was definitely none of that talk” in reply to suggestions the club could face a player boycott over the decision whether to extend Morris beyond this year.

“It’s not nice to see someone going through all this speculation, but John has been around the game for a long time,” Graham said.

“He’s been off-contract as a player, he’s been off-contract as a coach and sometimes this is the nature of the beast.

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Wade Graham has called on the Sharks to make a call on John Morris. Picture: Getty Images

“The best thing would be for the club to make a decision either way, so we can put a line in the sand and get on with the rest of the season.

“The speculation is unfair on John, on the players, on the club and the fans.

“The players are committed to the season. We’ve been working since October to have a successful season and after two wins and two losses, we’re not where we want to be.

“My job as a senior player is to keep the boys focused on results because that what we owe our supporters – to have a successful season.”

Graham said he wouldn’t be drawn on discussing the possible appointment of Roosters assistant coach Craig Fitzgibbon.

Wade Graham says the playing group is united in not wasting the 2021 season. Picture: Getty Images

SHARKS COACHING SAGA: MORRIS FUTURE IN THE BALANCE

David Riccio and Paul Crawley

Sharks coach John Morris is safe — for now.

The Cronulla coach and his manager Chris Orr held a meeting on Monday morning with senior Sharks officials amid reports his contract may not be extended beyond this season.

The meeting was viewed by many as a breaking point in the coaching saga, however The Daily Telegraph understands there was no resolution and that Morris will remain head coach for the time being.

Monday’s emergency meeting follows confirmation that Craig Fitzgibbon has been given the blessing of powerful Sydney Roosters chairman Nick Politis to chase his coaching dream at the Sharks next season.

While Fitzgibbon is yet to agree to any terms, the Roosters are anticipating their much-loved life member will take up the offer to make his long-awaited arrival in the NRL’s head coaching ranks in 2022.

Fitzgibbon has indicated he wants to meet with Cronulla powerbrokers first and come to an agreement on money before he makes his final decision.

However, the first meeting Mezzatesta has to deal with will be with Morris’ agent who just wants clarity on his client’s position.

Craig Fitzgibbon is set to join the Sharks. Digital image by Robb Cox � NRL Photos

Orr contacted Mezzatesta on Sunday morning to arrange a meeting about other matters before he was even made aware of the Fitzgibbon bombshell that was first revealed in The Sunday Telegraph.

Orr said he had not given up hope that Morris could survive.

“John Morris is an excellent coach and his results deserve to be supported and re-signed,” Orr said, pointing to the fact the Sharks had finished top eight for both seasons under Morris.

Mezzatesta on Sunday denied any deal with Fitzgibbon was official.

“John Morris remains our head coach,” Mezzatesta said.

“We’ve always said we’re working towards a timeline and nothing has changed.

“I’ve got a meeting with Chris Orr (Morris’ agent) tomorrow (Monday) but don’t read into that as far as it being any indicator of our strategy to continue assessing our coaching structure.”

Fitzgibbon’s agent David Riolo said that he didn’t want to add to the speculation.

However, it is understood Mezzatesta contacted Politis on Friday to notify him exactly where the latest negotiations were at.

Conversations have continued internally at the Roosters since and everyone, including Politis, only want what is best for one of the club’s most respected figures.

While Morris is on $325,000, making him the NRL’s lowest paid coach, Fitzgibbon is already on a reported $300,000 as Trent Robinson’s assistant.

John Morris’s days as Cronulla head coach look numbered. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

But it is expected Fitzgibbon will cash in significantly if he takes on the Sharks’ top job, potentially more than doubling his salary.

It is worth noting Fitzgibbon was said to have knocked back an offer from St George Illawarra worth $2 million over three years prior to Anthony Griffin’s appointment.

Although there are some who still believe Fitzgibbon will find it incredibly difficult to walk away from the club that has been a huge part of his life for more 20 years as a player and assistant coach.

But they still seem resigned to the fact it will happen regardless.

Fitzgibbon had previously given both Politis and Robinson his word he would not walk out on his existing deal early.

That came initially when he was being head hunted by the Dragons and the New Zealand Warriors last year prior to Nathan Brown’s appointment, and that commitment will stay for the remainder of this year even if he ultimately takes up the Sharks’ offer.

Fitzgibbon was recently made a Roosters life member but the club has known for some time that the day was coming where he’d want to pursue his own head coaching role.

Robinson would not make comment when contacted on Sunday but said last year the outside interest in Fitzgibbon came as no shock: “Fitzy’s one of the best coaches in our game. There’s no question that he’s going to get tossed up (for jobs).

Trent Robinson and Craig Fitzgibbon have enjoyed plenty of success together at the Roosters. Digital image by Gregg Porteous – NRL Photos

“But we’re also really content and on a path here. Everybody knows Fitzy’s his own man and he’s a strong, strong coach and one of the best in the game.

“But we’re in the middle of fighting for something special.”

Roosters captain Boyd Cordner also said last year Fitzgibbon had played a crucial part in building one of the NRL’s best defensive structures.

“All our principles, everything you see out there — us moving on the field and us working for each other, he’s the man behind it all,” Cordner said at the time.

“Obviously you have Robbo who’s the head coach, who oversees it. But Fitzy’s been the heartbeat of our defence for as long as he’s been there now.”

Cronulla has also shown interest in Penrith’s highly rated assistant Cameron Ciraldo but it is understood the job is Fitzgibbon’s if he wants it.

This latest development will be heartbreaking for Morris given the new season is only five games old but now he’s had it confirmed he is coaching at a club that don’t see him as a part of their future.

Orr added Morris has to be treated with respect: “John Morris is one of two of the 16 NRL coaches to have played 300 NRL games, he is respected by past and current players, he has done the work on and off the field in ensuring he best prepares his players.

“John, under difficult circumstances, has coached the Sharks team to the final eight each year.”

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‘THROWN IN DEEP END’: JOHNSON’S DEFENCE OF MORRIS

Cronulla star Shaun Johnson has spoken passionately about how personally “disappointing” it has been to learn of John Morris’ likely axing to make way for Craig Fiztgibbon.

With mounting speculation that the Sydney Roosters assistant has accepted an offer to coach the Sharks next year on a three-year deal worth twice as much as the reported $325,000-a-season Morris is currently paid, Johnson opened up about how the young coach had been “thrown in at the deep end” but ultimately created a “team-first” culture that “definitely brought a better version of myself out”.

Morris’ agent Chris Orr is set to hold crisis talks with Sharks’ chief executive Dino Mezzatesta on Monday but it looks a forgone conclusion that Morris won’t survive beyond this year and Fitzgibbon has got the job if he takes it.

Speaking on Fox League’s Matty Johns Show on Sunday night, Johnson didn’t attempt to hide his feelings.

“I think everyone that is aware of the situation would definitely be feeling the same about it,” Johnson told Johns.

“I just look at the facts.

“I don’t know how you can have a coach that has been in the deep end right from the start.

Johnson surprised by Morris axing

NRL: Shaun Johnson appeared on the Matty Johns show and revealed that he was surprised to hear that John Morris had been fired from the Sharks.

He had to take over a difficult situation with (Shane) Flanagan leaving. He has just gone after it, taking the side to the finals the last couple of years and then find himself in the position he is right now, it is certainly disappointing.”

Johnson agreed with Johns that the reaction from axed $800,000 prop Andrew Fifita about his demotion highlighted the type of playing culture Morris has created.

“On Andrew he has been unreal,” Johnson added. “He is such a key figure around our group and he has shown everyone else that it is team-first.

“He is just trying to make the most (of his situation) and with Bomber (Morris), he has shown up every day and done the same.”

Johnson said he’d love to see Morris stay on even in an assistant role.

“But I believe he is beyond that,” Johnson said.

“Obviously it is hard for me to say.

“I know if I was at the club again next year I would love for Bomber to be around because for me personally he has definitely brought a better version of myself out.

“Coming over from New Zealand, what I got with Bomber was someone that genuinely just believed in me and he pushed me every day.

“And we’d have open conversations.

“It is probably a bit selfish of me saying, ‘yeah, he should stay on’ in any capacity but I think he is probably beyond that.

“You look what he has done. He hasn’t had any control over the roster. He has been in a situation where our cap has been chopped the last couple of years (with Cronulla forced to play $350,000 under the salary cap for past breaches). And he has just made through with what he has got.

“And he has got us all on board. I genuinely can’t speak highly enough of him. He will get another job.”