- Morrison was presented with the honor in 2016
- Club had reportedly threatened to take it back in 2023
- The Sharks announced the change to fans in a wild way
Former prime minister Scott Morrison has handed back the No.1 ticket-holder status the Cronulla Sharks gave him, with the NRL club delivering the message to fans in brutal fashion.
Morrison was given the honorary title while serving as treasurer in 2016, the same year the Sharks delivered long-suffering fans a first-class NRL premiership.
But after announcing his retirement from politics in February, triggering a by-election in his seat of Cook, he has opted to return that honorary status.
In 2010, Mr Morrison famously declared that “the sharks have (his) loyalty”. But in 2023 the club reportedly considered withdrawing its No.1 status over the Robodebt scandal.
At the time, Morrison strongly rejected the royal commission’s findings into the bogus $750 million debt recovery scheme, describing it as a “crude and cruel mechanism” that made people feel like “criminals”.
While he made the announcement during the week, the Sharks waited until game day against the Bulldogs on Friday to make it official to fans.
Morrison was voted number 1 ticket holder in 2016 but there were reports the club wanted him to hand it over following the Robodebt scandal
Morrison announced his decision to step down as the Sharks’ number 1 ticket holder during the week with this post on social media
The ground announcer at the PointsBet Stadium made the announcement just before half-time, leaving a noticeable silence as fans thought Morrison’s replacement would be named.
‘They announced over the loudspeaker at Shark Park that Scott Morrison was officially no longer the best Cronulla Sharks ticket golfer while he was in the house. It was brutal’. one fan posted with a laughing emoji.
‘Everyone was waiting for the compensation and nothing.’
“Sounds like they really wanted to stick it to him,” added another Sharks supporter.
“Best thing to happen to Sharks fans since 2016,” wrote another.
Morrison announced during the week why he is handing back the status of number one ticket holder at the Sharks and pledged to continue to support the club.
“I look forward to continuing to be a passionate supporter (of the Sharks) for many years to come … We are so proud of our history and so excited for our future,” he wrote on social media.
Morrison has been a regular face at Sharks games, pictured with premiership-winning former halfback Chad Townsend
Morrison said he was delighted by his support for the club as the local MP, treasurer and prime minister had ‘been helpful’ but made the decision after leaving politics.
The former Liberal leader announced earlier this year that he would take on a new role as vice chairman of security firm American Global Strategies after leaving parliament.
Morrison will also take up a position as a strategic adviser to asset management firm DYNE, a role he will carry out alongside former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
The southern Sydney native has long been a supporter of the Sharks and even referenced their theme song in his farewell speech to Parliament, saying: ‘And, as always – up, up Cronulla.’
