JAMES Shepherd, the new caretaker coach of the Sharks, played for the Sydney Roosters in the 1990s.
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He took over last week after Peter Sharp, who stood in for suspended coach Shane Flanagan at the start of the season, resigned.
That's three coaches in the space of one season.
With Todd Carney sacked by the club for repeated indescretions, the players showed there is life after him.
They don't need him in the place or the distractions he brings. Enough said.
And the Sharks board of directors met last night to decide if Shepherd will stay in the job for the rest of the season or if former St George Illawarra coach Steve Price will be appointed for the remainder of 2014.
If Price is appointed, Shepherd, who coached the under-20s previously and was an assistant coach this season, would revert to the assistant's role again.
Ironcially, he debuted against the Sharks for the Roosters in his playing days on the wing.
Now, as a coach, the former Kogarah Marist teacher helped mastermind a stunning 30-28 win over the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night.
Down 24-6 at halftime, the Sharks hammered the reigning premiers in the second half to record one of the club's greatest victories.
That's two come-from-behind wins for the Sharks in as many weeks after they defeated the Broncos the previous week.
Shepherd paid full credit to the players for their character and fighting peformance.
"The players prepared well all week and basically run the sessions at training," Shepherd said.
Just days after getting a new major sponsor with Labour Health, the Sharks' win was just what their fans had prayed for.
Can the Sharks make it three wins in a row against Newcastle at Remondis Stadium at 3pm this Sunday?
Time will tell.
Cronulla 30 (Jacob Gagan 2, Sosaia Feki, Wade Graham, Jeff Robson tries; Michael Gordon 5 goals) d Sydney Roosters 28. Crowd: 10,732.
Can the Sharks keep up the momentum and win against the Knights this Sunday?
STATE OF ORIGIN III
Sharks skipper Paul Gallen and Luke Lewis play for NSW tomorrow night, Wednesday, at Suncorp Stadium. The Blues lead the series 2-0 and are aiming for a clean sweep.
Meanwhile, James Shepherd, the third coach this year to look after the Sharks, is a man who is well respected by the players. The 30-28 win was full of courage against the Roosters, considering they were missing Gallen, Luke Lewis and Andrew Fifita.
NEXT ROUND
Sharks tackle Newcastle at 3pm this Sunday at Remondis Stadium.
HOLDEN CUP
The Sharks tackle Newcastle at 12.45pm this Sunday at Remondis Stadium.
NSW CUP
The Sharks play Mounties at 5pm this Saturday at Belmore Sportsground.
TRIVIA
Last week’s trivia question asked, ‘‘Who played five-eighth for the Sharks in the 1973 grand final against Manly?’’ Answer: Chris Wellman.
