Sharks star Shaun Johnson has backed under-fire boss John Morris after "disappointing" reports suggested the Cronulla coach would be moved on in favour of Roosters assistant Craig Fitzgibbon.

The Daily Telegraph's Phil Rothfield reported over the weekend that Morris had "virtually no chance" of retaining his position for the 2022 season.

Further reports have revealed that Sharks powerbrokers are set to meet with Morris' management on Monday, while a three-year deal has been tabled to Fitzgibbon, per The Sydney Morning Herald.

Morris took over the reigns of Shane Flanagan in hasty fashion back in 2019 and has taken the Sharks to top-eight finishes across his two seasons at the Shire, whilst showing plenty of promise in developing young rookies into household names.

Many believe that the pressure mounted onto Morris is unjust given the difficulty of his tenure to date and the stranglehold already placed on the club's salary, with Johnson echoing those thoughts on Fox League.

โ€œI think everyone thatโ€™s aware of the situation would definitely be feeling the same about it,โ€ he said.

โ€œI look at the facts, bro. I donโ€™t know how you can have a coach who has been thrown in at the deep end right at the start.

โ€œHe had to take over a difficult situation at the star with Flanagan leaving.

โ€œHeโ€™s gone after it, taken the side to the finals the last two years and finds himself in the position he is now. Itโ€™s disappointing, certainly disappointing."

Johnson is one of 15 Cronulla players that are off-contract for next season, joining Matt Moylan, Will Kennedy, Connor Tracey, Toby Rudolf, Aaron Woods and Josh Dugan as key figures that are yet to sign extensions with the Sharks.

While the veteran Kiwi is yet to make a decision on his future, he stated there would be a desire to continue playing under the club's 300-game great.

โ€œIf I was at the club next year Iโ€™d love Bomber [Morris] to be around.

โ€œFor me personally, he has definitely brought a better version of myself out.

โ€œComing over from New Zealand, what I got with Bomber was someone who believed in me and he pushed me every day.

โ€œWe would have open conversations, itโ€™s selfish of me saying he should stay on in any capacity, but I think heโ€™s beyond that.

โ€œHe hasnโ€™t had any control over the roster, heโ€™s been in a situation where our cap has been shot the last couple of years and heโ€™s made do with what heโ€™s got.

โ€œHeโ€™s got us all on board, so I genuinely canโ€™t speak highly enough of him."

Reports late last year revealed Morris had put forward a contract extension request to Sharks directors, a plea that was shut down by powerbrokers.

The Sharks currently sit ninth in the league with a 2-3 start to the year after playing the Dragons, Raiders, Eels, Cowboys and Roosters.

Cronulla will be looking for their third win of the season when they travel to McDonald Jones Stadium on Friday night.

2 COMMENTS

  1. My understanding is:
    Johnson = $1,000,000
    Moylan = $800,000
    Woods = $800,000
    Dugan = $850,000
    Fifita = $850,000
    Surely cant have left a reasonable amount for some of their other top players โ€“ Graham, Rudolf, Ramien, Townsend, Hamlin-Uele. Thatโ€™s an average of $240k for the other 24 players. Almost hard to believe.

  2. One thing that could hold the Panthers back again at the pointy end of the season , is a lack of size with the prop forwards. Looking at the Titans, Canberra, Melbourne & even St.George . Heaps of size & the Titans have size , class .
    I think Melbourne forwards size found Penrith out in the last GF.
    They did struggle against the Raiders forwards at the start of last weeks game. If the ball had been forced from the second Raiders chance, could have been a different story from that game.
    Penrith could look to sign Toby Rudolf from Cronulla, if they wish to add some size.
    I donโ€™t see a lot of size in Penrithโ€™s Canterbury Cup squad either.
    Iโ€™d go with locals there as much as possible & it has worked well in recent times. Though, if you havenโ€™t got the players of real size at the club, they may have to look elsewhere.

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