Outgoing Cronulla boss Barry Russell insists there is still room for good people in rugby league, despite being forced to fall on his sword as a result of his decision to self-report the club's salary cap issues.
Russell on Tuesday resigned as chief executive of the beleaguered Sharks, ultimately as a result of the club's salary cap scandal.
It has been widely reported he fell on the outer with others at the club after he took the brave decision to hand over evidence to the NRL after he discovered questionable practices soon after taking over the job 13 months ago.
It set the wheels in motion for an integrity unit investigation which resulted in the club being fined $250,000 and having $353,000 shaved off their salary cap for 2019 and 2020.
It also had the unintended consequence of coach Shane Flanagan being deregistered and the club being slugged another $500,000, after it was discovered he contravened his 2014 ban by communicating with club officials.
Russell refused to point the finger at anyone for his demise but in the end he was the victim of his own will to do what he thought was right.
However he denies that honesty is a rare commodity in rugby league.
"I think there are some amazing people in rugby league," said Russell, who will stand aside in April.
"Seriously, the rugby league community is a fantastic community. I love rugby league, I love the game.
"Unfortunately, this is my situation and I've had to deal with things the way I've chosen to deal with things."
Russell says he hopes the club will only have to lose one player to become cap compliant for 2019 and would like to get that done before their opening round match against Newcastle next Friday.
Prop Ava Seumanafagai could be that player, having been linked with an exit to the Super League.
Russell first pulled on a Sharks jumper as a 14-year-old, as part of their Harold Matthews Cup side, before going on to play 77 first-grade games from 1985 to 1991, a career that included winning the 1998 Rothmans Medal.
"I'm really sad and disappointed about where it's all gone and what's happened, absolutely," Russell said.
"Far out this is a club that can't afford that. I don't think any club can.
"The affect it's had on us, it's been horrific.
"One of the proud things that I can leave this club with is a week ago I secured a major sponsor.
"It's a two-year deal and what makes it even more satisfying is it's with with Don Anderson, a 65-year-old company, 180 loyal employees, a lot of Sharks fans."
