Round 2, 2011: Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 16 - St George-Illawarra Dragons 10 @ Toyota Stadium

Standing in the rain for all that time was definately worth it, loving it.

Another thing I think was very important in that game is we kept out heads up when we had things go against us. So many times in recent times we've copped a penalty, bad call, or plain bad luck and we've gone to water.

This game however, we butchered a kickoff that would've pinned them down and got penalised - but instead of being downhearted - we proceded to belt the **** out of them. We didn't skip a beat.

There were several other occasions in the match where we got adverse calls against us (fair or unfair - doesn't matter), often in dangerous positions.

Did we panic in these situations, as we often have in the past?

Not at all - we just muscled up, belt them some more and made amends.

That to me is the most important attitude improvement and the best sign that we have turned the corner.

This, along with a new-found defensive sting, will make us a feared side to play and a genuine contender.

Born&bred said:

Another thing I think was very important in that game is we kept out heads up when we had things go against us. So many times in recent times we've copped a penalty, bad call, or plain bad luck and we've gone to water.

.

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The call in the 61st minute against Pom turned the game their way a bit .

On another note told a mate who supports saints "nevermind mate you were badly understrength"

What you talking about he said

I replied Gasnier , Hornby and Creagh werent playing

He said Yes they were

I replied ; Really ?? Didnt notice them all night !!! Boom Tisch !:ridiculed

Hey Iron Shark - even the Telly gave us a huge Wrap !!

BlackWhiteBlue said:

Yeah they were giving the Sharks a good wrap, which they deserved. First team to beat the defending premiers......and Shake them up in the process.


However, what i dont like is the way they describe the Sharks, that Ryan lad on the panel, 'tonight the Sharks, a team who has struggled for the last few seasons........'

What about teams like the Cowboys (came behind the Sharks and boast a very good roster) the Broncos fallen from grace since Bennett left, nearly missed the finals, then missed the finals, **** even the Tigers last season was their first appearence since 2005 i think? Is it that hard to believe that a club can win a game after not making the 8 for 2 years?

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We won 12 games in the last two seasons, it's completely understandable.

Mark^Bastard said:

We won 12 games in the last two seasons, it's completely understandable.

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Im not denying the Sharks struggle, Im referring to the fact no other teams are described as such. They cowboys were way worse than the Sharks last year, yet they werent talked about as the 'team thats struggling'. In terms of teams at low points, id be looking more at these teams that u expect more from, Brisbane being 1 of these teams. Surely it was more of a surprise to people that the Broncos missed the 8, than the fact the Sharks didnt win a premiership.........

I just watched a replay of the first half, and you know what perhaps the best thing about Tupou's try was? Even though everyone was surprised by Gardner's tap and Graham was forced to go to DH, we had a play to throw at the Dragons. For once, when it mattered, we didn't look like a rabble. Douglas took the ball at first receiver, made towards the line before spinning the ball out the back (and behind an angled decoy run from Brod Wright) to Kelly who jinked of his left foot, dragged a defender with him (Creagh) and brought Tupou back 'under' him and through the hole. Excellent.

BlackWhiteBlue said:

Im not denying the Sharks struggle, Im referring to the fact no other teams are described as such. They cowboys were way worse than the Sharks last year, yet they werent talked about as the 'team thats struggling'. In terms of teams at low points, id be looking more at these teams that u expect more from, Brisbane being 1 of these teams. Surely it was more of a surprise to people that the Broncos missed the 8, than the fact the Sharks didnt win a premiership.........

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I think it is because when you look at the sharks team of the past few years you couldn't see a player that looked like winning the game for them, so we were written off completely. But with cowboys and broncos they had thurston and lockyer that gave you the thought in the back of your mind that that they could always pull the rabbit out of the hat. I think with gardner sniffing around the ruck and AK we now have that X-factor which could get us over the line.

Joy Of Being A Sharks Tragic

Joy of being a Sharks tragic
Phil Rothfield
March 23, 2011 12:00AM

BEING a Cronulla Sharks fan can be an emotional rollercoaster.

A bit over a week ago I drove for seven hours - to the national capital and back in one day - to take my seven-year-old boy to watch Sharks v Raiders.

New year, new hope.

We get flogged 40 to something by depleted Raiders.

The trip home is a long one.

A mate texts and says he's going to report me to DOCS for subjecting a child to that sort of punishment.

I don't speak to him for three days.

A McDonald's stopover at Mittagong and a kick in the park at Berrima ease the pain and get us talking about next week's game.

Sharks v NRL premiers St George Illawarra, the world champions, J J Giltinan Shield holders, Charity Shield winners, Anzac Day Cup holders and everything else they've cleaned up on since Wayne Bennett took over.

The local derby. Monday night. Shark Park. Rookie coach versus best ever. Little brother versus big brother. Bring it on.

Being a Sharks fan at the beginning of each season you prepare yourself to run last in your office tipping competition. You foolishly tip them every week, every round, every game because our motto is: "Being a loyal loser is better than being a disloyal winner."

So game day arrives. I work from home. At 3.10pm I pick the young bloke and my daughter up from primary school. We're all nervous.

My son asks can we get there early because our best chance of a victory is in Toyota Cup. We beat the Dragons easily and we're leading the competition.

The kids consume hotdogs, wedges and ice creams.

It's pouring rain which is good for Sharks fans because it lessens Saints' class advantage and will turn the game into a slog and survival of the strongest.

The game starts and our boys are simply outstanding.

Rep forwards Gallen, Smith and Snowden lead the way. The rest follow. We lead 12-nil at halftime.

Some fool decides to play the team victory song over the PA during the break.

Chairman Damian Irvine storms into the broadcast box and orders it to stop.

The Sharks hang on to win 16-10 after a gripping second-half. I look across to my son. The devastated little face I saw in the rear vision mirror driving back from Canberra is now all jubilation and pride. This moment alone is worth the price of your season tickets.

I drop the kids home and tuck them into bed to dream of a Sharks premiership and their hero Paul Gallen holding the trophy aloft at Homebush in the first weekend of October.

I have Tuesday off (until the sports editor asks me to write this piece) and head to the leagues club. It's rocking.

I bump into colleague and caricature genius Boo Bailey, an old Northern Beaches boy.

"It's like you've won a grand final," he declares.

"Imagine what it will be like if they ever do."

Coach Shane Flanagan walks in and is mobbed by the punters. Club legend Gavin Miller signs a thousand autographs.

We pull up stumps around 1am and head for the cab rank.

The fun doesn't end there because next morning it's on to Twitter:

@BuzzRothfield Sharks new world champions #NRL.

@BuzzRothfield Public holiday in Shire today #NRL.

@BuzzRothfield Scrap Monday night footy. Can't cope with Tuesday hangovers #NRL.Nothing beats being an NRL fan. Nothing beats being a Sharks supporter.

Bring on Saturday night. Bring on the Panthers.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp.../story-e6frexnr-1226026373321?from=public_rss

probably his best piece of work...

he was due one

snowman said:

probably his best piece of work...

he was due one

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totally agree

Yahoo News RSS said:

Some fool decides to play the team victory song over the PA during the break.

Chairman Damian Irvine storms into the broadcast box and orders it to stop.

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:lmao

We led 10-0 at half time not 12-0 other than that a good piece

About time he did a good piece of work directed at the club

nice article moe needed

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Good article. Praying the boys back it up

Points of order Mr Rothfield.

If you've had Maccas in Mittagong, why would you backtrack to Berrima to have a kick in the park?

Maybe it was a quick swing by Berima Women's Prison. :ridiculed

Also, the half time score was 10 - 0 to the Sharks.

Phil, you might be the Horror-graph's sports editor at large but you could do with a small amount of sub-editing!

The best thing about being a Sharks fan, everyone knows your extremely Loyal.

Good job Phil, I know he has a few shockers every now and then but he is a great asset to have in the largely anti-Sharks press.

Keep up the good work, mate. Fly the flag high and often.:good: