John Morris’s message to players after taking over at Sharks

John Morris doesn’t know how long he’ll be head coach of Cronulla but, for the good of the NRL club, the interim mentor knows he has to act as if it’ll be for the season. Appointed earlier this month as the interim boss after the provisional deregistration of Shane Flanagan, Morris is between the proverbial rock and a hard place. The outcome of Flanagan’s ban for fraternising with the Sharks during his 2014 suspension over the peptides scandal won’t be known
for at least several weeks. Responses from both Flanagan and the Sharks are due by January 31, and it’s understood the club will at least challenge the severity of the $800,000 fine handed to them. What direction the Sharks go after Flanagan’s response is unknown, but no coaching decision will be made until the case is finalised. All the while, the Sharks’ opening-round game against Newcastle is just two months away.

Morris can't wait to 'rip in' as Cronulla coach

John Morris has taken to social media to proclaim he is ready to step up in banned coach Shane Flanagan's absence to guide Cronulla in the 2019 Telstra Premiership. The former Shark, who finished with 300 first-grade games in his career which also included stints with Newcastle, Parramatta and the Wests Tigers, posted a photo from his final
match in 2014 in his Instagram post. "This was the last time I pulled on a jumper for my beloved Cronulla Sharks," he wrote. "To say I am proud and honoured to be given this opportunity is an understatement. Thanks for everyone's msgs of support over the last 24 hours. "I can not wait to rip into our preparation for the 2019 season and lead a fine group of players and staff #UpUpCronulla."

Cronulla have appointed John Morris as interim coach

Cronulla have begun to look at life without Shane Flanagan after installing John Morris as the lone interim coach of the NRL side. Morris and fellow assistant Jim Dymock were appointed caretakers when Flanagan was sensationally de-registered by the NRL for dealing with the club while suspended in 2014. It remains unclear whether
Flanagan will appeal the ban, however the Sharks opted to give Morris the nod before the pre-season recommences on Monday. Sharks chief executive Barry Russell and the club board began discussions on handing the reins to Morris prior to Christmas, before informing senior players on Thursday.