Paul Gallen is adamant John Morris' inexperience should not become an excuse for either Cronulla's players or their rookie head coach this NRL season.
Last week's appointment of rookie head coach Morris - a former teammate just a year older than Gallen at 38 - has raised questions over how he successful he can be in 2019 with a highly-rated Sharks squad containing some big personalities.
Morris' promotion from assistant then interim coach came after premiership coach Shane Flanagan resigned as he prepared to respond to his deregistration by the NRL.
Despite the disruption, captain Gallen insisted the mood in the Sharks camp was positive.
"I'm not going to say it's been the best off-season ever, but the boys have been good. There's a lot of outside noise," said Gallen ahead of his ninth professional boxing bout on Friday against John Hopoate.
"It's been fine with John (Morris), there's no issues whatsoever.
"There's been a lot of chat about how he's going to control certain players in the group. (Andrew) Fifita's name has been mentioned, and my name's been thrown in there but there's no issue at all.
"Our relationship as a coach and senior players works hand in hand, if we take the piss that'll reflect in our performances.
"Flanno (Flanagan) was a rookie coach when he started and everyone has to start somewhere. The Roosters coach (Trent Robinson) was a rookie NRL coach and he won the competition.
That (head coaching inexperience) is not an excuse for us players - or John.
It is just over five weeks until Cronulla travel to Newcastle for their season-opener, but Gallen said the club was comfortable with his decision to fight so close to the beginning of his final NRL campaign.
"It's in my contract that I'm allowed to fight from my last game of the year up until the 31st of January," said Gallen, who has won his eight previous professional fights.
"Because the season was pushed back a week I've been allowed to do this fight and go a week later.
"I'm going to be hit on Friday but that's the risk you take.
"Obviously boxing is a bit more dangerous. How clean he hits me is going to depend if he can get near me or not.
"I'm not the biggest guy, I don't have a big reach either, but for me it's the same as footy - you might hit me hard two or three times, but I'm not going to stop coming at you."
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