First Qualifying Final, 2012 NRL: Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v Canberra Raiders @ Canberra Stadium, Sunday 9th September @ 4:00pm

Lumpy · Sep 9, 2012

Just back from Canberra. The form we carried into the finals stayed with us.
We looked lost today. Gal was doing to much and Robbo didn't do enough.
We paid the price for some poor defence. Our bench rotation was terrible. Our go forward was weak.
Bring on 2013.

gando2230 · Sep 9, 2012

Just got back after 10 hours in the car from the game.
About the head up to the leagues club

But I hope stapo never plays another first grade game for the sharks he is terrible

The first negative post about a player ihave made in this forum ever

But he had nothing tonight. Not marking his player kicking out on the full.

Thanks Gando.

sharkboy1995 · Sep 9, 2012

Gallen has done a great job with captincy this season, the only way I see him loosing it is if Jeremy Smith and Gallen become Co-Captains, I know its dissapointing dropping out of the finals, but we have exceeded acceptations of many this season and we have proven ourselves to be a future powerhouse of this competition, and I truly believe we are on the verge of bigger and better things, and it looks like it may be sooner rather than later, and I honestly believe Gallen can and wants badly to get us there. Unlucky today, but bring on 2013! Stay positive!

samshark · Sep 9, 2012

Timmyb22 said:
you look at the stats of repeat sets in the first half of the season and the second half there will be a huge difference and you look at footage of all the games this season there will be a huge difference between the first half of the season and the second half, we didnt start using our game formula poorly we stopped using it, stats along with footage dont lie

We didn't stop using the formula we just didn't execute it well, which is what the stats you mention show. Coupled with lack of options and better attacking teams, we got found out.

DeathMoth · Sep 9, 2012

samshark said:
We didn't stop using the formula we just didn't execute it well, which is what the stats you mention show. Coupled with lack of options and better attacking teams, we got found out.

disagree.
early in the year the grubber into the in goals was a safe bet and used extensively. back end of the season the grubber was hardly ever used in favour of other random **** that occasionally worked but mainly made us look like ********s.

Bigberm · Sep 9, 2012

teflon77:572141 said:
Bigberm said:

Alot of armchair critics in here although I could see why flano made the calls he did with team selection. Think we got over rawed by finals footy and went away from our grinding style.

Click to expand...

This is a forum mate. It's where armchair critics come to vent. If you can see why Flano made the calls he did can you explain them to the rest of us? How did those changes turn out...oh.

How bout a coke and smile there champ...

19ninety9 · Sep 9, 2012

you lot : ihatemylife.com/mywrists

a second grade (at best) backline.

Sharks were lucky to be in the finals, very lucky. If Brisbane hadnt imploded and the warriors or tigers played to their potential the lads wouldn't of even been given the chance to compete today.

They really did they best they could with what we had.

Looking forward to next year, can't see us losing a game. Collective chins up

WillyInBris · Sep 10, 2012

samshark said:
We didn't stop using the formula we just didn't execute it well, which is what the stats you mention show. Coupled with lack of options and better attacking teams, we got found out.

DeathMoth said:
disagree.
early in the year the grubber into the in goals was a safe bet and used extensively. back end of the season the grubber was hardly ever used in favour of other random **** that occasionally worked but mainly made us look like ********s.

Yep I am with Tiimy and deathmoth on this as well we went away from our simple but effective gameplan after origin no idea though.

samshark · Sep 10, 2012

DeathMoth said:
disagree.
early in the year the grubber into the in goals was a safe bet and used extensively. back end of the season the grubber was hardly ever used in favour of other random **** that occasionally worked but mainly made us look like ********s.

So you havent noticed all Robson's kicks that have been going over the dead ball line in the last 8 weeks. Like I said, poor execution, not change of game plan.

samshark · Sep 10, 2012

WillyInBris said:
Yep I am with Tiimy and deathmoth on this as well we went away from our simple but effective gameplan after origin no idea though.

You're wrong. You really think Flanno changed the game plan mid year from the simple grinding style he loves. I wish that he did go away from it but they didnt, it just was wasnt executed affectively. Too many mistakes and poor kicking which other teams easily shut down and then countered with better attack.

SF · Sep 10, 2012

samshark said:
You're wrong. You really think Flanno changed the game plan mid year from the simple grinding style he loves. I wish that he did go away from it but they didnt, it just was wasnt executed affectively. Too many mistakes and poor kicking which other teams easily shut down and then countered with better attack.

Yeah it's pretty depressing reading articles like this one where it's all attributed to uncharacteristic errors and poor completion rate:

http://www.sportal.com.au/league-news-display/errors-ended-cronullas-season-197585

The reason we make those "uncharacteristic errors" is because we are always have to try something special, and/or don't have the skill.

Flanagan has shown patience, and that he plays the long game... but something's got to change for next year with our style of play.

teflon77 · Sep 10, 2012

samshark said:
You're wrong. You really think Flanno changed the game plan mid year from the simple grinding style he loves. I wish that he did go away from it but they didnt, it just was wasnt executed affectively. Too many mistakes and poor kicking which other teams easily shut down and then countered with better attack.

Samshark is spot on as usual. There is no doubt that we play with a very simple, over structured game plan with little variation. An under 12's coach could shut us down. I highlight the play in the second half where Gallen threw a short ball to Graham from 10 out that bounced off his chest. If he had of hit Robson as the second man play we score in the corner. That's what happens when you use your second rower as your play maker. Every other team uses their fullback for that play.

Matty C of the Shire · Sep 10, 2012

Refs were ****! I was there and damn Ike, wright and Stapo!

Mark^Bastard · Sep 10, 2012

Not sure if it's been mentioned but Ross was dropped not injured.

For Ross to be dropped for Taufua is a disgrace.

teflon77 · Sep 10, 2012

Mark^Bastard said:
Not sure if it's been mentioned but Ross was dropped not injured.

For Ross to be dropped for Taufua is a disgrace.

Especially since Taufua only played limited game time. WTF?

Mark^Bastard · Sep 10, 2012

Yeah I just don't get it. He played like 20 minutes?

The only thing Taufua has that Ross doesn't is maybe more mobility and stamina. But even then he's not on the same level from a quality point of view.

Just totally bizarre.

jim schwarz · Sep 10, 2012

Mark^Bastard said:
Not sure if it's been mentioned but Ross was dropped not injured.

For Ross to be dropped for Taufua is a disgrace.

Ken Oath...didn't know that

snowman · Sep 10, 2012

another Flanno special. he definitely wasnt injured as he completed the 30 minute warm up

A.Snowden · Sep 10, 2012

Yeah when dj mentioned it I was stunned. Didn't believe it then looked at your tweets and then it hit. Pretty shocking decision.

Mungusjack · Sep 10, 2012

Hating the raiders more than ever this morning. The bunnies will smash them and we would have smashed the bunnies.
Murphy's law.

First Qualifying Final, 2012 NRL: Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v Canberra Raiders @ Canberra Stadium, Sunday 9th September @ 4:00pm

Bull Shark

Jaws

Hammerhead

Bull Shark

Great White

Grey Nurse

Bull Shark

Jaws

Bull Shark

Bull Shark

Mako Shark

Great White

Great White

Great White

Great White

Great White

Bronze Whaler

Total gronk

Jaws

Hammerhead