Sharks weigh up application to re-instate sacked Givney Reinstated: Shane Flanagan's return to head coach of the Sharks had the approval of the NRL. Shane Flanagan's re-instatement as Cronulla coach after being stood down earlier this season during the club's investigation into doping allegations had the approval of the NRL. The revelation comes as the new Sharks board consider an application to reverse the sacking of club doctor David Givney - one of four football club staff whose services were terminated just 48 hours before Cronulla's opening match of the season against Gold Coast. Flanagan was given charge of the team again two weeks later after another Cronulla review conducted by consultant Grant Thornton cleared him of any wrongdoing over the allegations players had been given performance-enhancing substances in 2011. Fairfax Media reported on March 25 that Sharks directors believed a chain of emails between Givney, football manager Darren Mooney, physiotherapist Konrad Schultz and trainer Mark Noakes showed they could have informed the board earlier of concerns about the role of controversial sports scientist Stephen Dank. In an email to Flanagan dated April 6, 2011, Givney outlined concerns players were being given injections that hadn't been approved by him and called for the practice to stop. Flanagan replied: "Thanks mate, I will knock it on the head today. No injections, no anything. Fairfax Media was told the football club staff, which included former trainer Trent Elkin, had a meeting the following day at which Flanagan said Dank's role with the club was to cease. However, Dank is alleged to have remained in contact with Sharks players until May 29 after Givney discovered that fullback Isaac Gordon had received an injection. Flanagan is understood to have told the club he was not aware Dank had any further involvement with the player after the meeting on April 7. The leaking of the emails between Givney and Flanagan has raised questions about why the coach was allowed to keep his job when the other staff were sacked for failed management practices. However, Fairfax Media has been told that before Flanagan could be re-instated, the Sharks were asked by the NRL to explain their reasons for doing so. Givney's lawyer Sam Macedone said the emails showed he was the person who raised the alarm about Dank, although the doctor insisted he did not know whether any players had been given banned substances. "It points out in my opinion that he was out to get rid of Dank because he wasn't happy with what the hell was going on," Macedone said. He made it quite clear to the person he reports to, which is the coach. And of course the coach said don't worry, I will sort it all out. Next thing you know, Dr Givney gets sacked. I don't understand how it all works to be honest. The Shark Unity ticket, which gained seven seats on the nine-man Cronulla board at the club elections three weeks ago, promised to re-instate the sacked staff and Macedone confirmed he had made a representation to the directors on behalf of Givney. Cronulla chairman Glenn Coleman said in a letter to members during the election campaign that the reason for sacking the four staff members was their failure to inform the board - rather than knowingly compromising players under the ASADA or WADA code.