Andrew Fifita’s failure to finish Friday’s 26-20 loss to a youthful Penrith side compounded Cronulla’s costly defeat at Panthers Stadium.
The Sharks trailed a Panthers side featuring three debutants - Matt Burton, Spencer Leniu and Stephen Crichton – 20-4 at the break.
They stormed back into the contest with three tries in 14 minutes from the hour mark but ultimately fell short to tumble out of the top eight and into ninth spot on the NRL ladder with four games remaining.
To make matters worse Fifita limped off late in the contest with a knee injury but Morris was hopeful the giant prop won’t miss next Sunday’s crucial local derby against St George Illawarra.
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“He’s had it most of the year, he’s just had a bit of an ongoing knee complaint that he’s managing,” Morris said.
“I’m not too sure if it’s made any worse from today but the taping is just preventative.
“He’s always managing it so I think he’s OK but it hasn’t got any worse.”
An injury to Matt Prior also hampered the Sharks, who entered the clash heavy favourites.
“We lost Matty early which hurt us … he just got a blow to his ribs or lower back, I haven’t really had a chance to check to see what’s the problem there but he was unable to return,” Morris said.
“We certainly lost some grunt in the middle but hopefully he’s OK for next week.”
Meanwhile, the coach defended goal kicker Shaun Johnson after the Sharks scored four-tries-all but failed to get the result.
Morris' men have lost several tight games due to wayward goal kicking this season and it cost them again on Friday night as Johnson kicked two-from-four while Nathan Cleary landed a perfect five-from-five for Penrith.
“We had a few losses there where we scored more tries and got beat but Shaun’s shown over the last three or four weeks that he’s come out and nailed them,” Morris said.
“I think he was seven-from-eighth last week and he kicked all the goals I think the week before against the Cowboys.
“One that he missed earlier in the game today was from out wide … but it’s been an issue for us all year and it just goes to show the importance of taking the two.
“I think they (Panthers) got all their goals today and that was the difference in the end.
“It’s something we continue to work on and as I said Shaun’s been much better since he’s come back from injury.”
