Jason Demetriou insists he hopes to keep his job as South Sydney coach, despite a plucky Rabbitohs failing to claim a victory to ease the pressure against Cronulla.
With only one man on the bench at half-time, Souths did well to stay in the contest before going down 34-22 at Accor Stadium on Saturday night.
But as buoyant as they have been with captain Cameron Murray (concussion) among the injured, the Bunnies remain bottom of the standings with five wins in their last 19 games.
Souths president Nick Pappas had said before the game that they needed to show new confidence, stability and determination to win.
Jason Demetriou (pictured) looks forward to coaching South Sydney against the Melbourne Storm after the break, despite Saturday’s loss to the Sharks.
Souths did well to stay in the contest before going down 34-22 at Accor Stadium.
Otherwise, the club would have to “think a little.”
How bosses assess the latest defeat and his final 11 months of football will now determine Demetriou’s fate ahead of the Rabbitohs’ break next weekend.
Asked after the loss if he still hoped to be a coach, Demetriou replied: “I hope so.” Nobody has told me otherwise.
“We’ll review the game, show up, and if not, we’ll find out.”
Demetriou also insisted that he was proud of his team, which managed to overcome a 16-point deficit in the second half and reach the end with a six-point game.
It came despite initial injuries to Tevita Tatola (possible foot fracture) and Tyrone Munro (clavicle), and with debutant Jye Gray impressing at fullback either side of his own HIA.
But the drums are still beating in Redfern, in a week which saw club bosses forced to deny claims that a shortlist of candidates had been prepared to replace Demetriou.
“It’s not ideal and don’t get me wrong, you don’t want to go through this,” Demetriou said.
Souths now find themselves bottom of the table after six matches, but Demetriou says he is proud of their recent performance.
Demetriou says he understands the pressure, because those in the South are not getting results
“But the reality is that it’s an elite sport, we’re a huge club, I’m disappointed that our members and supporters hear some things that aren’t just accurate.”
‘But I understand why the noise is there. “It’s results-driven and we’re not getting the results.”
Meanwhile, Mal Meninga has denied that Souths have approached him for the top job.
“I haven’t had any conversations with the club, but for some reason it seems like I’m attached to this,” Meninga explained on Fox League.
Demetriou said he would take some time with his family on Sunday, but insisted the scenario had not discouraged him.
‘I will not walk with my head down. “I have no reason to do it,” she stated.
“I have worked hard to get to this position as head coach of one of the biggest rugby league clubs in the world.”
The most concerning thing for Souths on Saturday continued to be their defense.
Since moving to the top of the NRL standings last May, they have now allowed 26 points or more in 15 of those games.
With Latrell Mitchell suspended, Alex Johnston injured and Damien Cook down for the Bunnies, Ronaldo Mulitalo went on a rampage for Cronulla.
The Sharks winger bagged a brace in the win and also set up two further tries.
The first came when he cut into the infield to beat three men from a scrum and another after Braydon Trindall picked him out with substitute fullback Jack Wighton on the line.
Mulitalo’s play of the night was a rare assist, as he jumped high to collect a Nicho Hynes bomb and unloaded as he fell to Teig Wilton for the score.
And after both sides exchanged tries after the break to make the score 22-12, it was Mulitalo who cleared the Cronulla 16 when he returned a Trindall kick for Wilton to score their second.
Burgess and Isaiah Tass then scored in the space of six minutes late to offer Souths some hope, but a four-pointer from Blayke Brailey sealed the game and put Cronulla first on the ladder.