With Koukash claiming he was prepared to offer the Kiwi superstar $1 million a season, Marshall could earn good money at Salford this year and then join Cronulla on a lesser deal.

While such speculation will not become reality as Marshall has no interest in moving from Auckland to England's north, there are sure to be players in Super League who will catch Flanagan's eye, and it remains unclear what the NRL would do were he to sign any for the Sharks.

Under the terms of Flanagan's one-year ban from coaching in the NRL for his role in the supplements program at Cronulla in 2011, he is prohibited from having any direct or indirect contact with the club until at least September 17.

The finalisation of a new three-year contract with the Sharks leaves no doubt Flanagan has had some detailed discussion with Noyce and other officials but negotiations were well under way before the NRL imposed penalties against the coach and club for risking the welfare of players.

Flanagan's manager Wayne Beavis would also have been heavily involved in finalising the terms and details of the Cronulla deal, as he was in organising his three-month stint as a coaching consultant for Salford.