‘Not what Sharks stand for’: Cronulla coach John Morris addresses Bronson Xerri’s failed drug test

Cronulla coach John Morris addresses the failed drug test of star centre Bronson Xerri.

Bronson Xerri. Picture: AAP

Cronulla coach John Morris began his Friday afternoon press conference by reading from a personal statement addressing the failed drug test of star centre Bronson Xerri.

“Like everyone else at the Sharks I was very shocked and extremely disappointed when the news came through on Tuesday,” Morris said.

“Our first priority is our duty of care towards Bronson and we are deeply concerned for his welfare. We will support him through this as best we can.

“It is important we allow due process and natural justice in allowing the formal ASADA process to run its course. It is one we need to respect.

“I would like to make it clear that neither myself or the club condone the use of performance-enhancing drugs and we are firm in our belief that there are no place for them in sport.

“We have a very strict governance policy here at the club and the players are provided with regular anti-doping education at all levels.

“Under our club’s strict supplement policy, the players are very aware of the supplements they can take, which are given to them by the club or approved by our club doctor.

“They are also aware of the consequences that are there if they choose to operate outside our governance guidelines.

“I understand this has been a really difficult time for our members, our fans and our sponsors, but I would like to clearly state that this is not a reflection of what our club stands for and I take great pride in the culture we have here at the Sharks.”

The Sharks are coming off another traumatic week when arguably their most promising player returned a positive test to a cocktail of anabolic steroids.

Morris was in his office on Tuesday with his fellow coaches when he received a call from head of football Phil Moss asking him to come to his office.

“I was obviously devastated to hear the news and still feel quite sick in the stomach that Bronson is in this situation,” Morris said.

Morris has sent a text message to Xerri but he is yet to speak to him. He has given the 19-year-old some space and time to deal with all that is coming his way. Xerri is yet to have his B sample tested and if that comes back positive, he is staring at a four-year ban unless he can prove there were some mitigating circumstances.

“I have reached out,” Morris said.

“Anything like this is a shock to any player. A kid like Bronson – I call him a kid still, he is 19 he has been at our club through all our junior elite system.. he was here as a 14 or 16 year old.

“You see them like family. You spend so much time with them. They spend as much time at Shark Park as they do with their family.

“You love them like they are part of their family. We’re all really upset for him that he is in this situation. We know there is a fight ahead of him and a journey.

“You certainly think the game has gone past it but I guess this is a stark reminder that it is still around the game.

“I am not making any allegations against Bronson but there was a positive test recently I suppose when you look at the Jarrod Mullen case.

“We do all we can to educate the players. The education they get is second to none. It is mind-blowing to think that young players can find themselves in this situation.”