Cronulla star Wade Graham has backed the unheralded coaching team of James Shepherd and John Morris to keep the reins at the Sharks for the remainder of the NRL season.
The Sharks board will meet on Tuesday night to discuss whether to stick with Shepherd in charge, or bring in an outside candidate for the final nine rounds, with former St George Illawarra coach Steve Price said to be in the frame.
Regular coach Shane Flanagan’s NRL suspension ends in September, and senior player Graham has encouraged the board to take confidence from how Shepherd led the team against the Sydney Roosters and take their time making the right decision.
Assistant coach Shepherd took control last week after key player Todd Carney was sacked and original interim mentor Peter Sharp resigned.
With the help of injured 300-game veteran Morris, who is unlikely to play again this season, Shepherd guided the Sharks to an epic comeback win over the Roosters.
Graham says the Sharks have become so close through the tough times they’ve endured over the past 18 months, that bringing in an outsider for the final part of the year would be difficult ask.
He says the team is in safe hands with Shepherd and Morris at the helm.
“It’s a tricky situation for the board because we all know Flanno is coming back at the end of the season so it’s hard to find someone – unless they want to audition for nine weeks,” Graham told AAP.
“With what the club has been through over the last 18 months, it would be hard for an outsider to come in and fit straight in – because the club has been through a lot together.
“I certainly believe with the way things ran last week with Shep and Bomber (Morris) … and Gal (Paul Gallen) and Lewi (Luke Lewis) coming back from Origin, they can afford to take some time with it and get the decision right.
“One hundred per cent (Shepherd and Morris staying in charge) wouldn’t faze me.
“Whatever they (the board) come up with, we’ll support.”
Graham says the Sharks are still on a high after Saturday night’s heroics as they begin to look at this Sunday’s opponents, Newcastle at Remondis Stadium.
As well as getting stars Gallen and Lewis back on deck, the Sharks are also hopeful of another major boost – with Test prop Andrew Fifita a chance to make his comeback from a long injury lay-off.
Graham said the feeling was great in the camp after back-to-back comeback wins where the Sharks have come back from 22-0 and 24-0 down respectively – but the stand-in skipper knows better than to get carried away.
“It’s a week-by-week proposition for us. We’ll focus on getting another week under our belts,” he said.
