Cronulla Sharks 2015 NRL season preview: With the ASADA drama behind them the Sharks need to step-up
THE only way is up.
That will be the motto for 2015 following a drama filled two years which saw them lose their coach and a host of players due to the ASADA scandal. The Sharks were also heavily hit by injury last season which resulted in their claiming of the wooden spoon. With Shane Flanagan now back at the helm and the supplement scandal behind them, the boys from the shire won’t have any outside distractions this season which means they have no more excuses for not stepping up.
The Sharks will be aiming to improve their home record in 2015.
STRENGTHS: Big men — This club certainly doesn’t lack size. Boasting the likes of Paul Gallen and Andrew Fifita the Sharks not only have a physical presence but the aggressive pack needed to make a real dint in the competition. These big men also have big motors. Add in Chris Heighington, Luke Lewis, Jayson Bukuya and Wade Graham and this side has the ability to dominate the best NRL sides.
WEAKNESSES: Halves — They recruited Ben Barba to replace Todd Carney in the halves but a combination of Jeff Robson and Barba hardly strikes fear into the eyes of any opposition. This is also an area they seriously lack depth after Fa’amanu Brown suffered a torn ACL during the Auckland Nines competition.
Paul Gallen of the Sharks celebrates winning.
KEY PLAYER: Paul Gallen — He is their fearless leader. At 33-years of age, the captain is a workaholic who leads by example. It is a general rule of thumb that if you find Gallen is performing well then the Sharks are doing the same. His biggest issue will be keeping his body healthy enough to play each week.
ONE TO WATCH: Saulala Houma — Having joined the Sharks from the Newton Jets, the lower grade Roosters is already turning heads in the shire. A standout performer during the pre-season, the 115 kilo prop is pushing for a place on the bench in round one. At 24-years-old, Houma played an important part in Cronulla’s Auckland Nines campaign which saw them make the final.
SUPERCOACH MUST-HAVE: Paul Gallen, $576,200
The most expensive player in NRL SuperCoach 2015 — and for good reason. He is the best fantasy player of all time.
Ben Barba pictured in his first game for Cronulla.
BURNING QUESTION: Can Ben Barba fill the void left by Todd Carney? Barba is a Dally M Medal winner but that was at fullback and Carney himself won that same award playing five-eighth. It may be a very long year for Barba.
VERDICT: They have some impressive cattle but despite their star power and size they are missing one key piece to their potential premiership puzzle — game winning halves. They have speedy outside backs, big forwards and backrowers who can pack a punch but whether the team of Robson and Barba can lead them to a title remains to be seen. Robson is a solid player but without a genuine creative ball playing half outside him, the Sharks could struggle to score points. There is no denying Barba is a special player but his success has come from playing fullback. When he made his NRL debut with the Bulldogs he spent some time in the halves but failed to shine, the same could be said about his stint in Brisbane.
Michael Ennis at Cronulla training.
GAINS: Ben Barba (Broncos), Michael Ennis (Bulldogs), Jayson Bukuya (Warriors), Mitch Brown (Bulldogs), Sami Sauiluma (Raiders), Jack Bird (Dragons), Gerard Beale (Dragons), Kyle Stanley (Dragons), Saulala Houma (Roosters)
LOSSES: Todd Carney (Catalans), Isaac De Gois (mid-season — Eels), Michael Lichaa (Bulldogs), John Morris (retired), Beau Ryan (retired), Siosaia Vave (Sea Eagles), Jonathan Wright (Warriors), Bryce Gibbs (retired), Nathan Stapleton (mid-season — Roosters), Tupou Sopoaga (Panthers), Sione Masima (Rabbitohs), Mark Mexico (Gateshead Thunder)
Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan watches training with assistant coach Steve Price.
SQUAD: Tinirau Arona, Blake Ayshford, Ben Barba, Gerard Beale, Jack Bird, Mitch Brown, Fa’amanu Brown, Jayson Bukuya, Michael Ennis, Sosaia Feki, David Fifita, Andrew Fifita, Jacob Gagan, Paul Gallen, Nathan Gardner, Michael Gordon, Wade Graham, Chris Heighington, valentine Holmes, Saulala Houma, Ricky Leutele, Luke Lewis, Todd Murphy, Pat Politoni, Matt Prior, Jeff Robson, junior Roqica, Sami Sauiluma, Kyle Stanley, Sam Tagataese, Anthony Tupou, Dallas Wells.
PREDICTED ROUND ONE TEAM: Michael Gordon, Sosaia Feki, Gerard Beale, Ricky Leutele, Valentine Holmes, Ben Barba, Jeff Robson, Andrew Fifita, Michael Ennis, Sam Tagataese, Luke Lewis, Wade Graham, Paul Gallen. Interchange: Anthony Tupou, Chris Heighington, Jayson Bukuya, Tinirau Arona
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THE only way is up.
That will be the motto for 2015 following a drama filled two years which saw them lose their coach and a host of players due to the ASADA scandal. The Sharks were also heavily hit by injury last season which resulted in their claiming of the wooden spoon. With Shane Flanagan now back at the helm and the supplement scandal behind them, the boys from the shire won’t have any outside distractions this season which means they have no more excuses for not stepping up.
The Sharks will be aiming to improve their home record in 2015.
STRENGTHS: Big men — This club certainly doesn’t lack size. Boasting the likes of Paul Gallen and Andrew Fifita the Sharks not only have a physical presence but the aggressive pack needed to make a real dint in the competition. These big men also have big motors. Add in Chris Heighington, Luke Lewis, Jayson Bukuya and Wade Graham and this side has the ability to dominate the best NRL sides.
WEAKNESSES: Halves — They recruited Ben Barba to replace Todd Carney in the halves but a combination of Jeff Robson and Barba hardly strikes fear into the eyes of any opposition. This is also an area they seriously lack depth after Fa’amanu Brown suffered a torn ACL during the Auckland Nines competition.
Paul Gallen of the Sharks celebrates winning.
KEY PLAYER: Paul Gallen — He is their fearless leader. At 33-years of age, the captain is a workaholic who leads by example. It is a general rule of thumb that if you find Gallen is performing well then the Sharks are doing the same. His biggest issue will be keeping his body healthy enough to play each week.
ONE TO WATCH: Saulala Houma — Having joined the Sharks from the Newton Jets, the lower grade Roosters is already turning heads in the shire. A standout performer during the pre-season, the 115 kilo prop is pushing for a place on the bench in round one. At 24-years-old, Houma played an important part in Cronulla’s Auckland Nines campaign which saw them make the final.
SUPERCOACH MUST-HAVE: Paul Gallen, $576,200
The most expensive player in NRL SuperCoach 2015 — and for good reason. He is the best fantasy player of all time.
Ben Barba pictured in his first game for Cronulla.
BURNING QUESTION: Can Ben Barba fill the void left by Todd Carney? Barba is a Dally M Medal winner but that was at fullback and Carney himself won that same award playing five-eighth. It may be a very long year for Barba.
VERDICT: They have some impressive cattle but despite their star power and size they are missing one key piece to their potential premiership puzzle — game winning halves. They have speedy outside backs, big forwards and backrowers who can pack a punch but whether the team of Robson and Barba can lead them to a title remains to be seen. Robson is a solid player but without a genuine creative ball playing half outside him, the Sharks could struggle to score points. There is no denying Barba is a special player but his success has come from playing fullback. When he made his NRL debut with the Bulldogs he spent some time in the halves but failed to shine, the same could be said about his stint in Brisbane.
Michael Ennis at Cronulla training.
GAINS: Ben Barba (Broncos), Michael Ennis (Bulldogs), Jayson Bukuya (Warriors), Mitch Brown (Bulldogs), Sami Sauiluma (Raiders), Jack Bird (Dragons), Gerard Beale (Dragons), Kyle Stanley (Dragons), Saulala Houma (Roosters)
LOSSES: Todd Carney (Catalans), Isaac De Gois (mid-season — Eels), Michael Lichaa (Bulldogs), John Morris (retired), Beau Ryan (retired), Siosaia Vave (Sea Eagles), Jonathan Wright (Warriors), Bryce Gibbs (retired), Nathan Stapleton (mid-season — Roosters), Tupou Sopoaga (Panthers), Sione Masima (Rabbitohs), Mark Mexico (Gateshead Thunder)
Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan watches training with assistant coach Steve Price.
SQUAD: Tinirau Arona, Blake Ayshford, Ben Barba, Gerard Beale, Jack Bird, Mitch Brown, Fa’amanu Brown, Jayson Bukuya, Michael Ennis, Sosaia Feki, David Fifita, Andrew Fifita, Jacob Gagan, Paul Gallen, Nathan Gardner, Michael Gordon, Wade Graham, Chris Heighington, valentine Holmes, Saulala Houma, Ricky Leutele, Luke Lewis, Todd Murphy, Pat Politoni, Matt Prior, Jeff Robson, junior Roqica, Sami Sauiluma, Kyle Stanley, Sam Tagataese, Anthony Tupou, Dallas Wells.
PREDICTED ROUND ONE TEAM: Michael Gordon, Sosaia Feki, Gerard Beale, Ricky Leutele, Valentine Holmes, Ben Barba, Jeff Robson, Andrew Fifita, Michael Ennis, Sam Tagataese, Luke Lewis, Wade Graham, Paul Gallen. Interchange: Anthony Tupou, Chris Heighington, Jayson Bukuya, Tinirau Arona
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DT preview - Cronulla sharks
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