Many would say you’d have to be stupid, and somewhat out of touch with rugby league history, to support the Cronulla Sharks. A fan of the club, I’m beginning to agree with them.
In 47 years, the club has not accomplished much on the field, merely stumbling through unremitting scandals to once more face a gloomy fate.
But I can say this with the utmost confidence of those who proudly don the black white and blue: we are not faint of heart.
The Cronulla side and the club itself has bravely tip-toed through a scandalous mine-field since the Greg Bird saga of 2008.
Next in line was Brett Seymour – caught out for disorderly behaviour in public and eventually ejected from the club.
Following Seymour’s exit, Ricky Stuart too could no longer bear the strains of a job weighed down by expectation and a demand for unforeseen successes.
Oh, and throughout all of this, the club lost a CEO and continuously struggled financially to stay afloat on the back of poor sponsor receivership.
Throw in the Matthew Johns group sex allegations of 2002 and we have a perpetual cycle of Cronulla misdemeanours spanning over a decade, all of which ultimately marred their survival – let alone competitiveness – in the National Rugby League.
It is often said that a week is a long time in the NRL. So, on behalf of all Sharks fans, I can openly say that four years without finals football felt like an eternity to which only good fortune and a blessing in disguise could heal.
This ‘blessing’ I speak of, was a former assistant coach when Stuart was at the helm.
Shane Flanagan.
Now ousted from his post, Flanagan was the shining light of the Shire – luring star players to the club despite a host of off field concerns and second rate training facilities.
If you had told me in 2011 that Cronulla would boast the likes of Todd Carney, Luke Lewis and Chris Heighington two years down the track, I would have told you to wake up.
Flanagan provided us, the fans, with hope. An honest, transparent and forthright leader, the coach took over the role and made it his own in a very short space of time – working with minimal resources to eventually challenge even the best of sides in season 2012.
However now, in the wake of ASADA doping inquiries, once more a Cronulla coach has fallen and all previous good work looks to be brought undone.
I strongly urge every Cronulla fan to rally behind the side, not only for this Sunday’s clash with the Titans, but for the entirety of season 2013 and beyond.
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