‘Disgusted’ mum of axed NRL coach lashes out at ‘deceitful liars’ who blindsided her son and dumped him five games into the season
- ‘Disgusted’ mother of sacked NRL coach launches emotional defence of her son
- John Morris was axed by Cronulla Sharks on Tuesday despite coaching record
- Morris had taken club to finals two years in a row despite salary cap restrictions
- Morris’ mother claims the club ‘lied’ to her son and asked fans to confront board
The mother of a sacked NRL coach has posted an emotional defence of her son, saying she’s ‘disgusted’ with the club who have acted as ‘deceitful liars’.
John Morris, who played 300 games in his rugby league career, was told Tuesday he was axed as coach of Cronulla Sharks after the club signed Sydney Roosters assistant Craig Fitzgibbon for the role from the 2022 season onwards.
Morris, who inherited an underwhelming roster handicapped by a reduced salary cap of $353,000 due to previous breaches, has taken the Sharks to the finals both seasons he has been in charge.
Sharyn, the 40-year-old’s mother, launched an impassioned plea to Cronulla supporters to demand answers from the club’s board who she claims misled her son.
‘My heart breaks for my son the coach. So dedicated so loyal. So disgusted that he was treated so badly by the board,’ she posted on Facebook.
John Morris was told Tuesday he was axed as coach of Cronulla Sharks after the club signed Sydney Roosters assistant Craig Fitzgibbon for the role from the 2022 season onwards
Sharyn, the 40-year-old’s mother, launched an impassioned plea to Cronulla supporters to demand answers from the club’s board who she claims misled her son
Mrs Morris claims the Sharks board ‘lied’ to Morris about his future at the club, while Nine reporter Danny Weidler also said Cronulla told the coach he was still in the running for the job next season.
‘Even though he knew they weren’t resigning him he wanted to finish out his contract,’ Mrs Morris said.
‘He loves his players and his staff. Fans get to know your board. They are deceitful liars.
’24 hours earlier they said: ‘no deal had been done’. You have the power but must be financial members for 3 years before you can vote. Vote them out…’
Mrs Morris claims the Sharks board ‘lied’ to Morris (pictured with wife Michelle) about his future at the club
Star halfback Shaun Johnson said on the Matty Johns Show on Monday night that he was ‘very disappointed’ with the situation and wanted Morris to stay on.
‘I think everyone that’s aware of the situation would definitely be feeling the same about it,’ he said.
‘I look at the facts, bro. I don’t know how you can have a coach who has been throw in at the deep end right at the start.
‘He had to take over a difficult situation at the star with Flanagan leaving.
‘He’s gone after it, taken the side to the finals the last two years and finds himself in the position he is now. It’s disappointing, certainly disappointing.’
Former Cowboys coach Josh Hannay will coach the Sharks in the interim before Fitzgibbon joins next season.
Star halfback Shaun Johnson said on the Matty Johns Show on Monday night that he was ‘very disappointed’ with the situation and wanted Morris to stay on
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