We take up the story in the year 2000, when the coach John Lang was coming to the end of a career with the club going back to 1994 and 220 matches. After he resigned, in came Chris Anderson for a controversial two seasons. Stuart Raper followed and after a promising start, things fell away in 2006. His run followed a similar pattern to the former but the club had several incidents that made this a turbulent time.
Shane Flanagan was the new head honcho and things went up well but he was suspended for a season for his role after a supplements investigation at the club. Peter Sharp came in for half a season, resigned and the rest of the season Cronulla was led by James Shepherd. The wooden spoon was duly secured by the club.
Shane Flanagan came back and a fine spell of success ensued. It all turned to custard when it became known that he had broken the conditions of his suspension in 2014. The club was fined and the coach left. John Morris got the hot seat and did a workmanlike job despite financial issues with the club. His playing career amounted to 300 first grade games and he coached at Cronulla 54 matches.
His departure during 2021 gave assistant coach Josh Hannay the driver's seat as a caretaker. After some frustrating losses after his appointment, the results have evened out, if not with an overly spectacular ending.
Craig Fitzgibbon has now had two seasons at the helm and the result has been good. He seems a straight up sort of man who would be good at getting the best from players. I think he's overachieved with what he has at his disposal.
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