2022 NRL Round 7 - Cronulla Sutherland Sharks Vs Manly Sea Eagles @ PointsBet Stadium, Thursday 21st April 7.50pm

[Western Sharkie]

Haven't had a chance to write my thoughts just yet on the game.

Obviously first half was brilliant, haven't seen a half of football like that for some time and also haven't seen a performance from an individual player like that for some time as well.

Second half was totally abysmal. I don't care about 5 day turnarounds (Manly had one too) or the refereeing issues (I actually think there wasn't any), or the wind against us, a good team overcomes these things.

Poor ends to sets, poor defence, ill discipline and probably a subconscious thought that the game was over led to that second half performance. I was surprised to hear Fitz being overly positive about it all in the presser, thought he may have been a bit more cranky. Hopefully he'll address it this week.

Fitz is a professional and any temper tantrum’s will most likely be done behind closed doors with only an air of unity in the public domain (Ie don’t air your dirty laundry in public).

that aside I think he also acknowledges that after a 5 day turn around, a trip from Melbourne and to a wet and soggy second half probably took a lot of gas out of the boys so they started to wane a bit.

Granted, Manly to had a 5 day turn around which wouldn’t have helped against a stubborn opponent, but didn’t have the travel commitments so may have had a little extra in the tank in that 2nd half.

happy to take the 2 and a 7 day break to next round.

 

[Pishposh46]

Talakai v Staggs next Thursday, marking each other. May be a shout-out for SOO spot.

 

[Sparkles]

Happy to take a win against Manly anytime, anyhow

 

[Western Sharkie]

I noticed this last night and initially thought WTF!

Way to play the system.

‘Shenanigans’: Sharks caught red-handed ‘abusing’ concussion rules

Staff Writers from Fox Sports
Cronulla’s sideline “shenanigans” were called out on Friday night after the Sharks were caught abusing the foul play rules against Manly.
NSW coach and commentator Brad Fittler pointed out the Sharks exploiting the NRL’s rule which allows a free substitute for player who is concussed as a result of foul play.

Manly backrower Haumole Olakau’atu was sin-binned following a Sharks try, over a hit he put on Aiden Tolman a few tackles earlier.
The shot wasn’t pinged at the time but the bunker reviewed it and Olakau’atu was put on report and binned, despite no concrete evidence he made contact with the head.
“I think everyone in the stadium knew it was a big tackle, but it didn’t look illegal in any way,” Andrew Johns said.

Tolman then subbed off without costing his team an interchange, as the NRL rules allow because the tackle was allegedly foul play.
Andrew Fifita came on in his place but Tolman subbed straight back on so teammate Cameron McInnes could come off.
“We just saw a little abuse of the rules there,” Fittler said.
“A free interchange, some shenanigans on the sideline. You’ve got to love coaches, don’t you?”.

 

[Shortfin Mako]

Fitz is a professional and any temper tantrum’s will most likely be done behind closed doors with only an air of unity in the public domain (Ie don’t air your dirty laundry in public).

that aside I think he also acknowledges that after a 5 day turn around, a trip from Melbourne and to a wet and soggy second half probably took a lot of gas out of the boys so they started to wane a bit.

Granted, Manly to had a 5 day turn around which wouldn’t have helped against a stubborn opponent, but didn’t have the travel commitments so may have had a little extra in the tank in that 2nd half.

happy to take the 2 and a 7 day break to next round.

I agree. Also Manly had the mentality of stopping an embarassment while our guys probably thought job done.

 

[HaroldBishop]

I noticed this last night and initially thought WTF!

Way to play the system.

It's not abusing the rules at all.

Typical fox sports dribble. Just quote TV commentators rather than coming up with something yourselves.

 

[HaroldBishop]

I agree. Also Manly had the mentality of stopping an embarassment while our guys probably thought job done.

Problem was we came out in the second half with no respect for the footy or Manly.

We're all of a sudden running into a stiff breeze, we needed to start again and earn the right to play footy.

Was very disappointing.

 

[Shortfin Mako]

Problem was we came out in the second half with no respect for the footy or Manly.

We're all of a sudden running into a stiff breeze, we needed to start again and earn the right to play footy.

Was very disappointing.

Hopefully lesson learnt.

 

[Sparkles]

Problem was we came out in the second half with no respect for the footy or Manly.

We're all of a sudden running into a stiff breeze, we needed to start again and earn the right to play footy.

Was very disappointing.

Yep. We need Fitz to channel Mickey not Ricky at halftime.

 

[Western Sharkie]

Problem was we came out in the second half with no respect for the footy or Manly.

We're all of a sudden running into a stiff breeze, we needed to start again and earn the right to play footy.

Was very disappointing.

Not disagreeing.

Just don’t think Fitz will tear strips off of his players in public.
Behind closed doors thou……..

 

[HaroldBishop]

Not disagreeing.

Just don’t think Fitz will tear strips off of his players in public.
Behind closed doors thou……..

Yeah agree with that.

 

[vicsharkfan]

Yep. We need Fitz to channel Mickey not Ricky at halftime.
View attachment 27163

 

[Western Sharkie]

It's not abusing the rules at all.

Typical fox sports dribble. Just quote TV commentators rather than coming up with something yourselves.

No. Not abusing the rules.
Just smart coaching.

I like it.

 

[CrazyMatt]

Hopefully lesson learnt.

Probably not. We’re Cronulla, we don’t learn those lessons. Ever.

 

[Sharkyle]

The first halves of the last two games have been amazing, put those two together and you have a comp winning footy team.

I actually kind of liked getting our pants pulled down in that second half. Just goes to show no matter how good you think you are, no teams are easy beats in this competition. I’d rather them learn that lesson and still come away with the two points. Plus anytime we beat manly we usually have a good year!

I am still in shock about talakai in that first half. I have never seen anything like that before…. It was literally insane. Wild.

Overall I think we are in a good place remembering we had our first two captain choices out tonight plus a couple of other regular first graders injured who will have to try and force their way back into the team. So things look good for the weeks ahead.

The one major negative is Trindall - he is a liability. Once Tracey is fit he needs to be the utility off the bench as he can play almost anywhere and offers way more.

Exciting times ahead!!!

 

[stormshark]

Interesting we made 30 odd more tackles than them, and possession 49/51%. Makes it a Great win imho

 

[Sevshark]

Not disagreeing.

Just don’t think Fitz will tear strips off of his players in public.
Behind closed doors thou……..

I think Ronnie might of gotten an earful for his defensive effort at full time.

 

[Blue_Eyes84]

We can all enjoy our weekends now after last nights win. The only positive of playing on Thursday.

 

[bort]

No. Not abusing the rules.
Just smart coaching.

I like it.

Coaches view the free interchange as part of the punishment to the other team for the foul, not as strictly a player safety move.

 

[bort]

Not disagreeing.

Just don’t think Fitz will tear strips off of his players in public.
Behind closed doors thou……..

Video review will be (should be) just the second half with a graphic only showing second half score and a blasting from coach and support staff