SOURCE : News Corp
Cronulla Sharks must decide between coaches James Shepherd and Steve Price
A CRONULLA board meeting tomorrow is likely to determine if the Sharks stick with rookie assistant coach James Shepherd for the remainder of this season or appoint former St George Illawarra coach Steve Price.
The crucial decision was an obvious talking point *on Sunday in the wake of the Sharks’ remarkable comeback win over the Sydney Roosters on Saturday night, a win which rugby league *Immortal Bob Fulton *described as the greatest win by any team in 50 years.
Cronulla management have reacted to the resignation of interim coach Peter Sharp last Monday with *deliberate diligence, unwilling to rush the decision on a possible replacement.
Following a week of unprecedented crisis, Shepherd was handed the reins of a Sharks side still dealing with an ongoing ASADA investigation, minus sacked star Todd Carney, their inspirational captain Paul Gallen, NSW Origin forward Luke Lewis and injured trio Andrew Fifita, John Morris and Chris Heighington.
Rallying from 24-0 behind on the scoreboard to overcome a stunned Roosters side 30-28, there was a suggestion that the cash-strapped club would be better off saving their money by keeping Shepherd in charge.
However, by appointing Price, the Sharks would secure the signature of a coach who has experienced the rigours of the NRL as a head coach who could also complement Shane Flanagan upon his return from suspension.
Talk of who the Cronulla board ratify to steer the Sharks for the remaining nine weeks of the NRL season took a momentary back seat on Sunday as stunned fans, officials and commentators recounted the Sharks’ amazing fightback — for the second week in succession.
Cronulla Sharks press conference 4:57
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Sharks coach James Shepard fronts the media after his side's stunning comeback victory over the Roosters.
Fulton, who has achieved success at the highest level, both as a player and as a coach, summed up the Sharks’ amazing performance on Saturday night.
“If last week’s game against the Broncos when they were behind 22-0 two minutes into the second half was a miracle … how do you describe last night’s win?,’’ Fulton said on 2GB’s *Continuous Call team.
Kimmorley stays quiet on Cronulla Sharks coaching job 0:46
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Former Cronulla Sharks halfback Brett Kimmorley has played down rumours linking him to the vacant Sharks coaching position, saying that at this stage it is only speculation.
“Put it all in perspective with Gallen, Lewis, Fifita, Morris, Heighington all out … a coach who is a replacement for a replacement, being behind 24-0 after 30 minutes, ASADA hanging round and add to that the appalling act by Todd Carney.
“I’ll tell you how I describe it. I’ve been around for 50 years at this level and I’d say this is the best win in the club’s history. But outside of the win by Balmain over Souths in the ’69 grand final I think it’s maybe the best win under the circumstances for the last 50 years.
“And I can only go back that far. But it was a titanic performance by a bunch of blokes who never gave up — they had a real crack.’’
Originally published as Sharks to decide if Price is right