Captain makes an extraordinary claim after side suffers three straight scoreless losses.
After suffering their third straight loss in-a-row without scoring a point, Cronulla skipper Paul Gallen has made the extraordinary claim that interim head coach Peter Sharp should be replaced as soon as possible.
Cronulla’s season continued to lurch from one disaster to the next and they remain locked in a battle with Newcastle for the wooden spoon this year.
But three losses in as many weeks, to Souths, St George Illawarra and Manly without the Sharks getting across the line has left Gallen frustrated, calling his side “a rabble.”
Gallen, who came crashing back to earth after NSW’s Origin victory mid-week with a 26-0 loss to the Sea Eagles, said the players were not trying hard enough because Sharp was “not putting 100 per cent in”.
Cronulla continues to play with the axe of the ASADA investigation into illegal supplements hanging over their heads, which cost former head coach Shane Flanagan his position.
In his place, Sharp has been handed a tough job admitted Gallen but he said the club could not wait any longer to act as their season was quickly amounting to saving face rather than battling for a place in the top eight.
“I don’t want to sit here and bag Sharpie, but Sharpie has just been thrown in the deep end. He came out day one and said he doesn’t want the job,” Gallen told Triple M radio on Sunday.
“Now that, mentally, to everyone…to me players are like schoolkids. If you can get away with a little bit you’re going to. If you know your team can turn up Monday and your coach isn’t going to rouse on you for not having a good game, I don’t think you’re going to put 100 per cent in.
“And I think that’s been the problem throughout the whole year. I don’t think players have been putting 100 per cent in because they’re under the impression that Sharpie isn’t putting 100 per cent in.”
Gallen said former Shark playmaker Brett Kimmorley would be an outstanding replacement going forward for Sharp.
“It has been spoken about. I know one person I have spoken to and asked about is Brett Kimmorley,” Gallen said.
“But he’s still down in Canberra and the club have decided against it.
“I don’t think it’s too late because there’s still I think 10 games to go in the season. I don’t want to win the wooden spoon. I don’t know if it’s an option or not. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to win some games.”
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