Will EvansSeason Preview 2009 - Cronulla Sharks
March 12th 2009 05:51
Cronulla Sharks
Despite their capitulation to an under-siege Melbourne Storm in last year's preliminary finals, 2008 was season of momentous achievement for Ricky Stuart's Sharks. Cronulla were peerless at grounding out tight victories, games they were losing with alarming regularity in 2007. They overcame the Greg Bird controversy in commendable fashion, and finished first-equal with the Storm and Manly, but missed out on the minor premiership on for-and-against. The Sharks inability to put points on the board was their biggest shortcoming, and the foremost reason why they were considered a class below 2008's grand finallists. Aggressive in the player market in the off-season, Cronulla appear to have a far more dynamic attacking squad this season, while maintaining the qualities in defence that garnered so many victories last year.
Strengths: Their ability to win ugly will have the other 15 clubs desperately trying to avoid getting into an arm-wrestle with the Sharks. Stuart has turned the club into a relentless, tight-knit unit over the past two seasons. Trent Barrett's NRL return gives the Sharks the attacking thrust they need - his running game will be as important as his cultured kicking and passing qualities. With Anthony Tupou and Reni Maitua joining skipper Paul Gallen, Cronulla boast arguably the most impressive club back-row since Steve Menzies, Daniel Gartner and Nik Kosef terrorised sides in the mid-1990s. Tupou and Maitua also add immeasurably to the Sharks attacking arsenal, while impressive youngster Reece Williams gives the Sharks superb back-row depth.
Weaknesses: Cronulla's battle to get over the tryline in 2008 was not the fault of their halves - Brett Kimmorley was constantly creating opportunities for his outside men. The problem was firepower out wide, and that is one area the Sharks have not bolstered in the off-season. Unfashionable winger Luke Covell did remarkably well to cross for 15 tries last year and Brett Kearney is a livewire at the back, but David Simmons and Misi Taulapapa don't present enough of a danger to opposition defences. Highly-rated centre Ben Pomeroy is the Sharks most obvious backline weapon, and hopefully he can thrive running off Barrett. 42 unsuccessful attempts at a premiership for the Shire boys also weighs heavily on the club, despite Ricky Stuarts assertions otherwise.
Recruitment: Outstanding. Barrett is understandably the most hyped buy, but the acquisitions of Tupou and Maitua will prove equally important. Bulldogs veteran Corey Hughes has come in to replace Isaac De Gois at hooker, while the club is a chance to pick up Michael Crocker if visa problems deny him from taking up a Super League contract. Front-rower Jack Afamasaga is handy addition from Manly's ranks.
Youth brigade: 18-year old Blake Ferguson, a relation of Tongan wrecking-ball Solomon Haumono, has come from the clouds to win a starting centre spot for the Round 1 clash with Penrith. Utility back Mitch Brown and half Blake Green were impressive contributors for the Sharks in 2008. Karl Filiga was proclaimed the next SBW when he was a youngster at the Bulldogs, and was subsequently poached on a massive contract by the Sharks a couple of years ago, but has so far made just one first grade appearance. 2009 could be the year the centre lives up to his potential.
Rep drain: They will have Ricky Stuart's undivided attention after his World Cup final meltdown. Gallen and Tupou are NSW and Kangaroo incumbents, while Barrett and Pomeroy could also come into Origin calculations.
X-factor: The success of Barrett's return. Kimmorley has done a wonderful job of steering the Sharks around the park since 2002, and much of that responsibility will fall to Barrett, given that new halfback Brett Seymour is not your typical dominating No. 7. Expectations will be high from the get-go for Barrett to take the organising duties in his stride while sparking the Sharks misfiring backline.
Under pressure: Besides Barrett, hulking prop Ben Ross needs to rediscover the form that earned him six Queensland jumpers in 2004-05. 22-year old Luke Douglas has firmly established himself as the club's first-picked front-rower, and Ross has a big task on his hands denying Kade Snowden, Jacob Selmes and Afamasaga for a spot in the top-17, let alone the starting line-up.
Predicitons: The Sharks have one of their best opportunities yet to break through for a maiden title, particularly with a weakened Storm and Manly's recent off-field woes, but a lot will depend on how long it takes for the new boys to settle in. Bound to be in the thick of the September action, but need injuries to be kind to them to go further.
Sixth and beaten semi-finallists
Despite their capitulation to an under-siege Melbourne Storm in last year's preliminary finals, 2008 was season of momentous achievement for Ricky Stuart's Sharks. Cronulla were peerless at grounding out tight victories, games they were losing with alarming regularity in 2007. They overcame the Greg Bird controversy in commendable fashion, and finished first-equal with the Storm and Manly, but missed out on the minor premiership on for-and-against. The Sharks inability to put points on the board was their biggest shortcoming, and the foremost reason why they were considered a class below 2008's grand finallists. Aggressive in the player market in the off-season, Cronulla appear to have a far more dynamic attacking squad this season, while maintaining the qualities in defence that garnered so many victories last year.
Strengths: Their ability to win ugly will have the other 15 clubs desperately trying to avoid getting into an arm-wrestle with the Sharks. Stuart has turned the club into a relentless, tight-knit unit over the past two seasons. Trent Barrett's NRL return gives the Sharks the attacking thrust they need - his running game will be as important as his cultured kicking and passing qualities. With Anthony Tupou and Reni Maitua joining skipper Paul Gallen, Cronulla boast arguably the most impressive club back-row since Steve Menzies, Daniel Gartner and Nik Kosef terrorised sides in the mid-1990s. Tupou and Maitua also add immeasurably to the Sharks attacking arsenal, while impressive youngster Reece Williams gives the Sharks superb back-row depth.
Weaknesses: Cronulla's battle to get over the tryline in 2008 was not the fault of their halves - Brett Kimmorley was constantly creating opportunities for his outside men. The problem was firepower out wide, and that is one area the Sharks have not bolstered in the off-season. Unfashionable winger Luke Covell did remarkably well to cross for 15 tries last year and Brett Kearney is a livewire at the back, but David Simmons and Misi Taulapapa don't present enough of a danger to opposition defences. Highly-rated centre Ben Pomeroy is the Sharks most obvious backline weapon, and hopefully he can thrive running off Barrett. 42 unsuccessful attempts at a premiership for the Shire boys also weighs heavily on the club, despite Ricky Stuarts assertions otherwise.
Recruitment: Outstanding. Barrett is understandably the most hyped buy, but the acquisitions of Tupou and Maitua will prove equally important. Bulldogs veteran Corey Hughes has come in to replace Isaac De Gois at hooker, while the club is a chance to pick up Michael Crocker if visa problems deny him from taking up a Super League contract. Front-rower Jack Afamasaga is handy addition from Manly's ranks.
Youth brigade: 18-year old Blake Ferguson, a relation of Tongan wrecking-ball Solomon Haumono, has come from the clouds to win a starting centre spot for the Round 1 clash with Penrith. Utility back Mitch Brown and half Blake Green were impressive contributors for the Sharks in 2008. Karl Filiga was proclaimed the next SBW when he was a youngster at the Bulldogs, and was subsequently poached on a massive contract by the Sharks a couple of years ago, but has so far made just one first grade appearance. 2009 could be the year the centre lives up to his potential.
Rep drain: They will have Ricky Stuart's undivided attention after his World Cup final meltdown. Gallen and Tupou are NSW and Kangaroo incumbents, while Barrett and Pomeroy could also come into Origin calculations.
X-factor: The success of Barrett's return. Kimmorley has done a wonderful job of steering the Sharks around the park since 2002, and much of that responsibility will fall to Barrett, given that new halfback Brett Seymour is not your typical dominating No. 7. Expectations will be high from the get-go for Barrett to take the organising duties in his stride while sparking the Sharks misfiring backline.
Under pressure: Besides Barrett, hulking prop Ben Ross needs to rediscover the form that earned him six Queensland jumpers in 2004-05. 22-year old Luke Douglas has firmly established himself as the club's first-picked front-rower, and Ross has a big task on his hands denying Kade Snowden, Jacob Selmes and Afamasaga for a spot in the top-17, let alone the starting line-up.
Predicitons: The Sharks have one of their best opportunities yet to break through for a maiden title, particularly with a weakened Storm and Manly's recent off-field woes, but a lot will depend on how long it takes for the new boys to settle in. Bound to be in the thick of the September action, but need injuries to be kind to them to go further.
Sixth and beaten semi-finallists
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