Sharks chairman: Josh dilemma a 'balancing act' but no internal conflict

Cronulla chairman Dino Mezzatesta says there's no conflict between the Sharks board and coach John Morris over the future of Josh Morris.

But it is a balancing act when it comes to the Test and State of Origin outside back.

While formal discussions have been held between Sharks officials and the Roosters – where Morris wants to go to play with his brother Brett – the Cronulla coach is not keen to let the experienced 33-year-old go.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson said after last weekend's Gosford trial that his club was still interested in re-uniting the Morris twins.

So this leaves Mezzatesta and his directors with a delicate balancing act – granting Josh Morris' wish would ease salary cap pressure but go against the wishes of the NRL coach.

"We continue to work in the background. He's an important part of our team; an important part of the roster," Mezzatesta said on Monday night after the Sharks 2020 season launch.

"We're also in the business of winning a competition so it's important you have your best people, your best team to do that."

Manager David Riolo told NRL.com on Tuesday it was still Morris' wish to be released to the Roosters.

Mezzatesta said Morris had been "an absolute professional" while his future was being decided.

"Whatever corridor noise there is he can put that behind him and go out and do his job – and he does that very well," he said.

He's an important part of our team; an important part of the roster

Dino Mezzatesta on Josh Morris

"I can't speak on his behalf at all of what's going on in the background if he's thinking otherwise. But he knows he's got the full support of this club and this club wants him."

Maybe the bottom line will win out in the end.

Mezzatesta denied the club was under any financial strain with the drop in revenue from closing the Leagues Club in Woolooware for redevelopment adding to the burden of a $353,500 salary cap penalty in 2020 – the end of the sanctions imposed when former CEO Barry Russell self-reported discrepancies in 2018.

The club's season launch was held at the Kareela Golf Club, which the Sharks have taken over so supporters have somewhere to meet.

"The amalgamation will hopefully get the tick of approval in the coming weeks [from NSW government] and that should be a good demonstration of our financial position to be able to go out and acquire a club like this for our portfolio," he said.

The Sharks are also in the process of appointing a new CEO to replace Richard Munro, who took over from Russell in April last year.

But first, the Josh Morris question has to be answered.

Origin prop Matt Prior was released to Super League club Leeds to help ease salary cap woes, along with Jayden Brailey to the Knights and premiership-winning centre Ricky Leutele to the Toronto Wolfpack. Paul Gallen retired.

"We're still working in the background to make sure we're compliant," Mezzatesta said.

"We have maybe other options available to us as well. Our aim now is to make sure we have the best possible squad to field – that's our intention.

"If that's to change in the next few weeks, then so be it  - it changes.

"As we sit here today Josh is an important member of our squad."