“This is the literal definition of insanity”: Sharks fans turn on Craig Fitzgibbon

Pre-season fancies the Cronulla Sharks are currently sitting at serious risk of dropping out of the Top Eight.

I'd argue that their current table position is a false economy, and more so due to other clubs around them not being able to put it together, rather than anyone positive coming from the Sharks.

An impressive start to the season has been consigned to memory following a slide that has seen them lose three games in their last four.

Included in those losses was a 42-16 loss to the Origin-depleted Roosters.

In fact, their only win in their four lost games was an unimpressive slog against a Dragons side who seemed to be obsessed with throwing away that game.

I'm not sure how a side containing names such as Nicho Hynes, Addin Fonua-Blake, Briton Nikora, Jesse Ramien and the like sitting in their current position is acceptable.

Common sense would suggest that things aren't exactly rosy right now in the Shire and that changes are needed.

Judging by recent reactions across social media, the only person in the rugby league landscape who believes this current Sharks outfit are up to scratch is First Grade coach Craig Fitzgibbon.

I've read through all 284 Facebook responses (at the time of writing) in reply to the Sharks posting their 17 for this weekend and there are 270 negative replies.

Of the 14 remaining, I'm pretty sure six are sarcastic jabs while three are about the referee. That leaves five, genuine positive posts.

Every single response of the 48 on Twitter were negative.

I only made it about a quarter of the way through the Instagram replies before I needed to lie down. I found two further positive responses.

The overwhelming theme of the comments is that Craig Fitzbibbon's inability or unwillingness to make changes should lead to serious pressure on his role.

"The literal definition of insanity is to repeat the same thing and expect a different result" appeared several times across all platforms.

"What's Melbourne's biggest winning margin at home? Asking for a friend" sarcastically commented a clearly worried fan.

"This coach is finished" rang loud with many others simply posting variations of "we need a new coach".

Others were less clever with their responses, instead leaning into emotion. Unfortunately I can't post their replies here.

The biggest issue seems to be Craig Fitzgibbon's baffling decision to continue to pick utility Daniel Atkinson on the bench over far better options.

Atkinson who completed an eight minute stint against the Broncos for a grand total of zero metres from zero runs. He made five tackles, missed one and had a further ineffective effort.

This despite the fact Teig Wilton left the game in the 24th minute due to an eye injury.

The fact Cronulla couldn't find the energy to stop the rampant Broncos late on was telling.

Atkinon's short stint was literally useless. All it did was deny the likes of Billy Burns the opportunity to enter the forward rotation to allow their remaining forwards to rest.

At one point, Craig Fitzgibbon countered the likes of Payne Haas and Patrick Carrigan with a middle of Daniel Atkinson and Hohepa Puru.

This was made worse by the fact that Sione Katoa's all-time brain snap left them defending playing with 12 men for a ten-minute period, but I'd have thought a utility would help in this situation.

The same utility, who, when called upon earlier this year, has been stood up and had his pants pulled down at centre, and was embarrassed when asked to play on the wing.

It may sound like I am making this a shot at Dan Atkinson but he is only doing what the coach is asking of him.

Yes, Atkinson should probably do better, but this is almost entirely on Fitzgibbon.

Billy Burns sat on the bench as the 18th man on Sunday afternoon. Sure would have been nice to have him to call upon.

Club debutant Hohepa Puru enjoyed a brilliant debut. His 24 minute stint saw him run for just under 70 metres while missing just one tackle in 16.

It's unfathomable to see how Daniel Atkinson retained his spot in the side at the expense of Puru.

As I type this, reports have dropped about an "honest session" being held at the club.

I genuinely hope that session was held in front of a mirror but no one in that club is anywhere near as responsible for this current down trend than the coach himself.

The players are very much there.

The Sharks' feeder team, the Newtown Jets, were running riot on the competition until injuries ravaged them. The club's Jersey Flegg team are firmly in the top three despite half their squad playing up in NSW Cup to cover injuries.

Hohepa Puru, one of the NSW Cup's best all season had to wait until Round 15 to make his club debut.

Young gun Chris Vea'ila looks as though his best chance of First Grade football is at another club. This despite his incredible 2024 season that saw him play a huge part in the Jets lifting the NSW Cup trophy.

KL Iro currently co-holds the most tries in consecutive games for the club. I can lodge an argument that he's a top five centre in the competition already.

He had to wait over a year longer than he should have, and be linked with several exits from the club, to be picked in First Grade.

If you were to question me as to the last player dropped by Craig Fitzgibbon due to form was Matt Moylan.

He would recycle a middle forward every now and then, bringing them back a week later.

Matt Moyaln. Back in 2023. A bloke who was very clearly past his use-by date was the only player of significance I can remember Fitz making a stand with by dropping.

In fact, Fitzgibbon has rewarded players in terrible form with multi-year deals.

Oregon Kaufusi was handed a two-year contract extension before a ball was even kicked in 2025. This is for a prop forward in zero demand due to averaging under 85 metres per game in his two seasons at the club.

The general feeling right now is that there is zero accountability in the club.

No drive for younger players to strive to be better.

"Copy and paste Tuesday" is the joke in the Sharks fan groups.

The media refuse to put any pressure on the Sharks coach but the fans are not to shy.

The club and its fans were expecting a repeat of last year's efforts, where they made a Preliminary Final, especially after signing Addin Fonua-Blake.

Instead, Sharks fans are preparing for a potentially historic disaster in the Victorian capital this Sunday afternoon.

Fans are saying what the club should be saying to Craig Fitzgibbon.

A loss to the Storm should lead to changes.

Anything less would be literal insanity.