Fitzgibbon breaks silence to defend Sharks

On Tuesday the incoming Sharks coach said he was not scratching around for players to revive the club, with his attention fixed on retaining the off-contract personnel who could be an asset next season and beyond.

It comes after South Sydney star Reynolds knocked back a big money deal with the Sharks to sign with Brisbane for a contract of lesser value, raising questions about Cronulla's recruitment strategy.

Fitzgibbon said talking to Reynolds was a no-brainer but he's far from desperate to totally overhaul the Sharks roster.

"The reason for going after Adam was pretty obvious ... the standard he plays at," the Roosters assistant coach said.

"But the whole reason I took the position on in the first place is I see a lot of potential in the players there at the club."

Tuesday's press conference was the first time Fitzgibbon spoke publicly about accepting the job for 2022 after the club axed former coach John Morris last month.

While the handling of the axing was widely lambasted, Fitzgibbon said he had faith in Cronulla's management regardless of Morris's treatment because the club had shown faith in him.

Asked if the manner of Morris's exit made him nervous, Fitzgibbon said: "It doesn't. From the club's point of view they've showed an enormous amount of trust in me.

"I'm very fortunate to be the beneficiary of the tough decision."

Already discussions have begun with off-contract halves Matt Moylan and Shaun Johnson to keep them at the club beyond the end of the year.

Fitzgibbon says he isn't concerned about not having a senior playmaker at the club next year after missing out on Reynolds, adding he won't necessarily go to the market to find one with Moylan and Johnson both viable options.

The ex-Australia and NSW Origin forward is happy to bide time in the market as clubs settle their rosters for next season.

But Roosters players are out of the question.

Fitzgibbon has a gentleman's agreement with coach Trent Robinson that he won't be poaching any talent.

"I'm cool with that. I get how it works, it's just not appropriate," he said.

"Off-contract players are different.

"But it's not about that, like I said it's just this perception that we're screaming and scratching for players ... I'm really comfortable with what I've got at the Sharks.

"I want to go and work with the players that are there."

Meanwhile, Fitzgibbon said he has had conversations with Craig Bellamy about the coaching director role Cronulla have offered the Melbourne coach.

Although it appears Bellamy is leaning more towards staying with the Storm for another season, Fitzgibbon said he was open to working with the premiership winner.

"As a young coach, who wouldn't want to work with Craig Bellamy?"

Australian Associated Press