Back from suspension, coach Shane Flanagan says he's ready to lead a cultural change at embattled NRL club Cronulla.
Defiant in rejecting any blame during the protracted anti-doping investigation which wracked the club for 18 months, Flanagan was making all the right noises in statements on Friday when the NRL ended his one-year ban.
While he was stood down for a year on December 17, he was eligible to return after nine months if he satisfactorily completed education and training courses - and the NRL said he'd now done so.
His return coincides with the start of the club's pre-season training on Monday, although he will be without skipper Paul Gallen, Wade Graham, Anthony Tupou and Nathan Gardner who remain under doping bans until November 21.
After sitting out Cronulla's disastrous wooden spoon season this year, Flanagan said he couldn't wait to get started.
"I am committed to restoring the reputation of the Sharks as a club that everybody in the game can be proud of," Flanagan said in a club statement.
"I now intend to focus on the future and demonstrate that I am the right person to lead the cultural change at the Sharks."
The 48-year-old Flanagan has coached the Sharks since 2010 but he was suspended by the NRL following an investigation into governance issues surrounding the club's supplements program for a period in 2011 which ultimately led to the players' bans.
In an NRL statement, Flanagan was quoted as saying: "I have a clearer understanding of the roles and responsibilities of a head coach.
"That role goes beyond player skills, tactics and game plans - I have a proactive duty to protect the welfare of players and staff and ensure we meet our governance and compliance obligations."
Sharks chairman Damian Keogh welcomed Flanagan's return and said the only way now for the club was up.
"We welcome Shane back after his suspension and look forward to him continuing to build on the strong coaching record he had in leading the Sharks to the finals in 2012 and 2013," Keogh said.
"Shane has served his penalty, satisfied the NRL's requirements and deserves the chance to re-start his coaching career. He returns with the full support of both the board and of the club.
"We have a great supporter base who have been very loyal to the Sharks and we look forward to rewarding that loyalty with strong on-field performances.
"The past two years haven't been easy for the club but it is now time to move forward in a positive direction."
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