I have been a fan of the Cronulla Sharks for nearly 30 years and its time for the bullshit to stop. We supporters have been through it all, but enough is enough.
It took us 50 years to win a premiership and, my God, what a night that was. I will never, ever forget the team or that night for the rest of my life. But the good times are so few and far between.
We don’t have a major sponsor or stadium sponsor, or any money to pay the fines that are about to be imposed onto us. We have sacked multiple staff members in recent weeks as we don’t have the money to pay them. We received a grant from the NRL last season and still recorded a loss for 2018.
We are in dire straits.
My love for this club comes well before that boofhead Gallen stepped on to Shark Park. My love for David Peachy, ET, Martin Lang, Steve and Matty Rogers, and of course the great Gavin Miller will always remain.
I used to sit up late on a Friday night with my old man and cherish the time I got to watch the mighty Sharks play. These are memories I will always have.
My son is six years old and he only knows us as a team that will do anything, at whatever cost, to win games – or as grubs that play the game the wrong way.
After the dramas of 2014, I thought maybe, just maybe we had turned a corner. Sure enough, 2016 came around and we turned that porch light off and celebrated like it was our last day on Earth.
Paul Gallen (right), and Valentine Holmes of the Sharks celebrate their win during the NRL grand final (AAP Image/Paul Miller)
But this week, once again, we watch another press conference where we have to defend the club we love.
I can put up with the hate, the abusive text messages from mates, the dirty looks I get when I wear my jersey to the shops. I will even put up with the constant talk about us being moved to Perth.
But I will not put up with the constant lies from the club I love.
It is time for a change.
This is what we need to do:
1. We do not fight the charge handed down to Shane Flanagan by the NRL. He needs to go on a permanent fishing trip.
2. Paul Gallen needs to follow him. You cannot change the culture of a club if the old heads still remain. Thank you for your years of service, but you need to go now.
3. We go to the NRL with our tail between our legs and beg them to suspend the entire fine. We don’t have the money to pay it and won’t for quite some time.
4. New coaching staff. If it is Trent Barrett, I am OK with that. We also need to keep John Morris and Jim Dymock on in some capacity. We need to bring in Michael Ennis as an advisor. These guys know football and between them can bring this club back to some kind of normality.
5. We need to be an open book. Let the NRL run our club transactions for a while.
This won’t happen overnight, but we can rebuild this thing from the ground up. Start by playing good football. Don’t get yourselves in the news for the wrong reason. The fans and sponsors will come back eventually.
If all this fails? Move the team to Perth.
I love the Sharks and will follow them to Canada if I have to, but I want something to be proud of.
I want my kids to be proud of the club their dad supports. I want to be a proud Sharks fan again.
David Holden
Roar Guru
Spinsky, as a long term Sharks supporter, I agree that the place is in need of a clean out. Though I think Barry Russell may be a little too honest compared to other club CEO's, this may work for us in the long run. If news of the $8m cash injection over the next month is true, we are a long way away from financial oblivion so hopefully relocation gossip can be put to bed.
1st&10
Guest
Also agree. The year of their dodgy premiership and every year plus, requires forensic salary cap auditing.
1st&10
Guest
“ it will get better because it has too and the club will be proud again.” Agree,but that will be in the NSW/Ron Massey Cup. That will stop them buying every free agent As for Gallen, I totally agree with you. A terribly grubby player.
1st&10
Guest
Hard to argue your point. Their Teflon has come to an end. Send them back to Ron Massey cup How do they keep buying players? Every time a top player comes on the market - Sharks pick them up. Forensic salary cap audit required. Training practices should be continued to be monitored Big question marks over their alleged premiership
1st&10
Guest
Time for Cronulla to go the way of the Jets. Back to park footy or go the way of the dodo. Their Teflon must have run out by now Bye Bye Cronulla !!!
Paul
Guest
Forget the fact you are a diehard Sharks fan, like me. The NRL have been trying to get us out by relocating us for years. Other clubs, especially if they are the only club in a state, can do what they want & get away with it. In the the Super League two players were recently banned for life for possession & use of coccaine, yet here the NRL let the clubs decide the penalty for the same offence, one of the players missed one match, but this was because he was injured. It seems it is a bigger offence to contact your club when suspended than to assault your partner, then attack a women & then invade a home to try to continue the attack. Let's get our priorities right here. The NRL need to take a long hard look at the way they are running the game & ask themselves if they can answer with a clear conscience.
Zavjalova
Roar Rookie
Passionate article from a loyal fan. Respect! I'm one of those who favor the move to perth, but as long as the sharks heritage remains
Don Aprile
Roar Rookie
Well done Spinksy.....good to see someone look a the big picture and tell it as it is ...warts and all. Don't worry mate with a changing of the guards and you fans staying solid you'll be back.
Big Daddy
Guest
Aren't the football club and leagues club one of the same. 2017 annual report says a $3 million loss. The club can't rely on the development as it is only a joint venture.
dayer
Guest
Agree ROB
dayer
Guest
Paul gallan is not a great player he is a great grub and is a great advertisement for peptide. sharkies used to be my second team in the eighties until the mighty Bronx came into the comp. Shark supporters its time to close the chapter and merge or relocate to somewhere outside of NSW.
AGO74
Guest
Who do you support AJ and I guarantee i can find a dozen things that smell about your club. That’s not a shot at you - it’s just a comment about the nature of professional sports and win at all costs mentality and people employed to do so.
Randy
Roar Rookie
Despite what the gloom merchants say the Titans actually have good support in the SEQLD region. Mess with them and the Gold Coast is lost forever. They are well supported for a club 10 years old.
Randy
Roar Rookie
plus they got Scomo as their number 1 fan, detestable club
buttery
Roar Rookie
Unfortunately Gallen is wrong, the Rabbitohs are the most resilient club in the history of Australian Sports, they got kicked out by the Sharks Superleague buddies but fought back.
John
Guest
I wouldn't take it too personally, I use them as the benchmark and if my team beat them in the Grand Final that to me would make the victory sweeter. I would probably also factor in the rivalry Sharks seems to have with the Storm.
Rob
Guest
The Sharks were a favourite team of mine through the 80’s early 90’s. Players like Barry Russell, Gavin Miller, ET, Docking, Rodgers and even those through the John Lang coaching era. I loved the way they played the game and had a soft spot for the club and players. However in 2017 I felt disgusted watching Flanagan and Gallen hold the trophy up. I was sad that Steve Rodgers, ET or some of the truely great Sharks players had not already been fortunate enough to enjoy the momentous occasion with the Sharks fans. Barry Russell was and I suspect is still a truely good man. It’s a shame these 2 grubs have lead the club to be one of the most hated in the league. My sympathy for the true Sharks fans.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
I'm not sure what you've got against Melbourne - they're the only grand final opponent you've managed to beat in 50 years! And Cameron Smith was pretty sporting in congratulating your club on the win.
AJ Mithen
Expert
Good piece Spinksy. Must be a bloody tough sell to keep the kids on board.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
Almost the same club colours, right?