Fitzgibbon addresses Sharks' Morris sacking

Craig Fitzgibbon has fronted the media for the first time since signing on to lead the Sharks next season, addressing the highly-publicised sacking of John Morris and missing out on Adam Reynolds' signature.

Former coach Morris was left with little option but to walk from the Sharks last month after they bagged Fitzgibbon's signature for 2022.

In a messy and public saga, the curtains were closed on Morris' time in Cronulla, the club he once notched over 100 appearances for before being handed the head coach's role at the eleventh hour ahead of the 2019 season following Shane Flanagan's suspension.

But what riled many across the game was the apparent underhanded manner in which Cronulla effectively showed Morris an early exit on the final year of his deal.

Addressing the issue directly for the first time, Fitzgibbon said the Sharks' handling of Morris didn't make him think twice about joining the club despite the grievances of some around the game.

"It doesn't," he said when asked if the way Morris exited made him nervous.

"From the club's point of view they've showed an enormous amount of trust in me. I'm very fortunate to be the beneficiary of the tough decision."

Just weeks ago, the Sharks were also thought to be frontrunners to bag Souths halfback Reynolds.

Reynolds' signature would have been a valuable asset for the club, particularly in the wake of losing Chad Townsend to the Cowboys.

That eventually fell through after the Broncos swooped in with a three-year deal, amid reports the club bungled their attempt to lure the halfback to the Shire.

Fitzgibbon said it was "disappointing" to miss out on signing a "bloody good halfback" in Reynolds but respects his decision.

"It was pretty straight forward. Chad (Townsend) our halfback signed with the Cowboys, Adam, another halfback was on the market and he's a bloody good halfback.

"We would have liked to have got him so we had a discussion and did some negotiating with him which didn't work out to our favour.

"While that's disappointing it won't be the first player that we miss out on either.

"Adam was upfront throughout the negotiations… he just saw a different experience in going to Brisbane and we've got to respect that that's what he wanted to do for himself and his family so we have no issues."

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