On a day when rugby league was again shamed, emotional Sharks coach Ricky Stuart paid out on former players who'd let the club down.
Stuart could not hide his frustration after watching his weakened side battle manfully to a 30-10 loss at the hands of a desperate Brisbane Broncos side
last night.
He took aim at several players who he said had left the club in the lurch in the past two seasons, including representative five eighth Greg Bird, dumped this year after being charged with assaulting his girlfriend.
His anger was also directed at utility Brett Seymour, punted for repeated alcohol breaches and former Australian forward Reni Maitua, serving a two year ban for drug use.
Another key signing, Kiwi Fraser Anderson, walked out on the club to play rugby union for big money in Japan.
"All those blokes that put the club into a position this year where they played up socially and the club had to sack them and do the right thing by the game ... I hope they're watching the game," fired Stuart in a withering post match blast.
"I hope they're reading about the position and predicament these blokes are in because they left them stranded.
"It's selfish. These poor blokes are busting their guts for the club and their mates and it's a good lesson for all other players."
Stuart talked up the efforts of his players who battled against a Brisbane side whose season was on the line.
"I just feel sorry for the players," he said.
"They're in a tough predicament and as you can see, they never give in.
"We haven't got the quality and I really feel for them.
"I'm proud of the fact that they're a very courageous bunch of blokes."
Things are unlikely to get any easier for Stuart after Monday's loss with Jack Afamasaga and Grant Millington were both put on report in the first half.
- AAP
