Cronulla Sharks Coach Shane Flanagan has posted an apology on sharks.com.au for the fine that will cost the Sharks $30,000 after an explosive post-match press conference following Cronulla’s elimination at the hands of North Queensland.

In a brutally honest observation, Flanagan said he was sorry to the game and Sharks fans.

“As a professional sporting organisation, I’ll defy anyone who suggests our 2017 squad lacked the desire, to experience rugby league’s greatest-high again,” Flanagan wrote.

“But desire is only one contributing factor towards success.

“And you know it as much as I do, discipline and attention to detail, is equally as important.

“And in 2017, we were nowhere near the standard required to be challenging for this year’s premiership.

“In the end, that’s what cruelled us against the Cowboys.

“Our discipline and errors – particularly in possession – wasn’t good enough and in the biggest game of the season, we were found wanting.

“We all know what happened after the loss to the Cowboys. In the post-match press conference, I was asked about the performance of the match officials.

“As it stands, our Club has been hit with a $30,000 breach notice for my response.

“I owe you an apology. I owe the game an apology. I’m sorry for the way I reacted.

“I’m writing this note to you because I reckon if you support this great Club, you’d know the type of person I am.

“If I believe in something, I very rarely keep that belief secret.

“My answers in that press conference were born out of honesty and the disappointment of a shattered dressing room.

“Again, if only I had a camera in our dressing room after that loss. I promise you that cold silence of defeat will drive us over Summer.

“And so I guess, I took all that emotion into that press conference. I know that doesn’t make it right though, does it.”