Monday Buzz: Cronulla Sharks’ treament of John Morris disgraceful, Phil Rothfield

John Morris won’t go down without a fight, he loves his job. Amid speculation he’s set to be sacked, he spoke excluisvely to Phil Rothfield, lifting the lid on what’s happening.

Sharks coach John Morris is on the outer. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

John Morris didn’t get to bed until 4am after Saturday night’s shattering loss to the Sydney Roosters.

That’s what it’s like when you’re a dedicated NRL head coach and your team has just thrown away an unlosable lead against a premiership powerhouse.

As Morris was leaving the SCG, his wife rang in tears about the news breaking in The Sunday Telegraph and on Fox Sports … that the club had approached Sydney Roosters assistant Craig Fitzgibbon to replace him.

It didn’t stop Morris from doing his post-game video review until 4am, searching for answers on how his side could blow an 18-4 lead in the final 20 minutes against the Roosters.

Then he was back at work in his office at Shark Park by Sunday lunchtime on his day off.

“I don’t intend going down without a fight.” Morris told The Daily Telegraph, “I love this club and my commitment and work ethic will remain strong.

“The constant speculation around my job hasn’t been pleasant but I’ve had unbelievable support from the members and fans.

“Until I get told differently, it’s business as usual preparing for our next game.”

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Sharks coach John Morris is reportedly on the outer. Picture: Getty Images.

Morris is rightfully proud of what he has achieved at the Cronulla Sharks in two and a bit seasons with a roster not much better than the Bulldogs, Cowboys or Broncos – the teams that are getting embarrassingly flogged week in, week out.

At the same time the Sharks turn up each week and play 100 per cent for the coach.

“We’ve played finals football for the last two years,” he says, “and I think we’ve shown some really encouraging signs in 2021.

“In my time we’ve debuted 12 rookies and I’d love the opportunity to add to the existing squad by finally having a full salary cap to work with.”

This is unlikely to happen.

As reported by The Sunday Telegraph last November, Morris has been a dead man walking without the support of chief executive Dino Mezzatesta, Chairman Steve Mace or other directors.

This all began in a beachside coffee shop in March last year before Covid hit.

Your columnist walked into Bianchini’s at Elouera Beach to see Mezzatesta, Mace and Morris’ manager Chris Orr catching up to discuss the coach’s future.

Roosters assistant coach Craig Fitzgibbon is the frontrunner to replace John Morris at Cronulla. Picture: Brett Costello

Morris was earning $350,000-a-season – the lowest paid in the competition – on not even a third of what the senior coaches in the game are earning.

Orr pressed for a pay rise and an extension. The club rejected it and they haven’t got on since.

First there was the secret approach from Mezzatesta to Storm’s super coach Craig Bellamy.

Then private meetings with Fitzgibbon and Penrith Panthers assistant coach Cameron Ciraldo.

All this while they were hoping the speculation around a Shane Flanagan comeback would deflect the media away from the real targets.

The treatment of Morris has been nothing short of disgraceful.

Morris inherited a roster of overpaid, underperforming stars and has still managed back to back finals appearances … yet still isn’t wanted. Picture: Getty Images.

Here is a young man who took over a roster, spending $700,000 below his rivals for two years, because of previous salary cap rorting.

A roster that included overpaid and underperforming players like Andrew Fifita, Josh Dugan and Matt Moylan, who had all been signed long term by the previous coach.

He also lost one of the game’s most exciting youngsters in Bronson Xerri.

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He was forced to have the tough off-season conversations with Fifita and Moylan.

Morris’ mistakes were paying too much to keep Chad Townsend as halfback and signing Jesse Ramien in the centres, a decision that would cost the Sharks Josh Morris.

Still, compared to some of the recruitment blunders at the Broncos, Manly, Cowboys and the Bulldogs, the Morris mistakes are relatively minor.

There is no doubt down the track he will get another gig as an NRL head coach, probably via a role as an assistant.

As for the Sharks board and how this plays out in the face of a membership backlash will be interesting. Their fans are furious that Morris didn’t a fair go.