Sharks tap Morris for coach job
WITH the ink barely dry on his contract, John Morris has wasted no time declaring he’s capable of taking Cronulla to an NRL premiership in his rookie coaching year.
Morris was yesterday confirmed as Shane Flanagan’s successor for the next three years. At 38 and having retired following a 300-game playing career in 2014, Morris’s rise to a head coaching role has been meteoric.
Only Trent Robinson (2013), Phil Gould (1988), Ricky Stuart (2002), Michael Hagan (2001) and Leo Nosworthy (1969) have won a premiership in their maiden season as a coach.
“I believe I can,” Morris said when asked if they could be crowned premiers.
“I’m not going to come out and say we’re going to win the comp. But certainly in and around that top four, in my opinion, is the expectation of the Sharks in recent times.
“I know what success looks like for this club, I was here on the staff when they won the comp.
“I also know how shattered and disappointed the boys were last year down in Melbourne when we were a game short of the grand final.
“I know how keen the boys are to go two wins further.”
Morris played alongside Sharks players Gallen, Graham, Fifita, Sosaia Feki, Matt Prior and Scott Sorensen in 2014.
But he denied he would have trouble balancing relationships and being the firm hand when needed.