Official 2024 NRL General Discussion (no off-field controversies/rumours)

[Wiz]

I haven't posted on here in a long time, well since our inglorious exit from the finals...again

But I wanted to just throw some things out and see , if any , the response.

Soo a couple of hears ago, we fired a very popular and proven coach, well maybe not 1st grade success, but he had form;

He was fired because , the Sharks fell at the finals, and then Front Office hires Fitz this defence guru , a wunderkind, supposedly resposible for hiding a broken cronk against the merciless Melbourne storm , a 12 on 13 masterclass

I say this because, well the Sharks have fallen out of the finals epically , 2 seasons in a row, with the same team, the same team that will be there next season, and as far as I know the same assistant coaches.

My point of all this is, do we really think , the same team , and basically a lot who were under bomber too, will suddenly gain extra pounds of muscle , or a new skill, or more tackling efficiency?

I get that there are always reasons/excuses, this guy was injured or this player was in a form slump, but my point is, this is on the coach, you get paid top $ because there is a certain expectation that is required.


I may be unaware of somebody on this forum who knows somebody who knows somebody, but are there any rumblings from the front office that , hey things are not going to plan, or are they sitting pat and expect their bluff will payoff next finals

Being a sharks supporter is hard , no we are not perpetual cellar dwellers, but we do not really make a mark either, I would like, sometime this century, ( and this maybe selfish seeing the porch light was turned off n all ) , that they make a mark, are seen as threats, like real sharks are!

I love this post, you don’t fall for the fluff and you call it how you see it.

Fitz has been a failure for me so far, 2 soft draws with another coming and 2 embarrassing finals exits despite having the squad he wants, the $ he needs and the club in a healthy position. Shocking defence and toothless attack against top teams

If next season isn’t better I’m looking not only outside for new players but outside for a new coach

 

[Deleted member 2543]

I haven't posted on here in a long time, well since our inglorious exit from the finals...again

But I wanted to just throw some things out and see , if any , the response.

Soo a couple of hears ago, we fired a very popular and proven coach, well maybe not 1st grade success, but he had form;

He was fired because , the Sharks fell at the finals, and then Front Office hires Fitz this defence guru , a wunderkind, supposedly resposible for hiding a broken cronk against the merciless Melbourne storm , a 12 on 13 masterclass

Was this the case?

I say this because, well the Sharks have fallen out of the finals epically , 2 seasons in a row, with the same team, the same team that will be there next season, and as far as I know the same assistant coaches.

Not really the same team. Only 7 players from the 2024 squad played all 3 finals games the last two years, and one of those was Rudolf the 9 toed reindeer.

1. Kennedy injured in 2023
2. Katoa injured in 2022
3. Ramien
4. Talakai injured in 2022
5. Mulitalo
6. Moylan out / Trindall in
7. Hynes
8. Rudolf
9. Brailey
10. BHU injured in 2023
11. Nikora
12. Graham out (also - Wilton injured in 2023)
13. Finucane injured in 2023
-
14. McInnes
15. Williams injured in 2022
16. Hunt injured 2023 Rabbitohs game
17. Colquhoun / Hazelton / Kaufusi

My point of all this is, do we really think , the same team , and basically a lot who were under bomber too, will suddenly gain extra pounds of muscle , or a new skill, or more tackling efficiency?

I get that there are always reasons/excuses, this guy was injured or this player was in a form slump, but my point is, this is on the coach, you get paid top $ because there is a certain expectation that is required.

I may be unaware of somebody on this forum who knows somebody who knows somebody, but are there any rumblings from the front office that , hey things are not going to plan, or are they sitting pat and expect their bluff will payoff next finals

Being a sharks supporter is hard , no we are not perpetual cellar dwellers, but we do not really make a mark either, I would like, sometime this century, ( and this maybe selfish seeing the porch light was turned off n all ) , that they make a mark, are seen as threats, like real sharks are!

Injuries are a real thing, and I'm sure there are plenty of player who have improvement in them (Trindall, Hazelton, Colquhoun and Wilton to name a few).

Also - check out the Finucane thread. I put up some interesting numbers around BHU's tackle efficiency with Toby and Dale healthy or not. Guys actually play better when they have the best players around them.

The team played 2 games all season with Nicho, BHU, Toby and Dale in the team. In one of those games 2 other forwards got hurt (Nikora & Kaufusi) and in another there was 4 bench forwards unavailable for selection (Hazelton, Colquhoun, Graham & Kaufusi).

The team played 0 games where Fitz got his halfback, his starting middles, and 4 healthy bench forwards.

 

[Sparkles]

I haven't posted on here in a long time, well since our inglorious exit from the finals...again

But I wanted to just throw some things out and see , if any , the response.

Soo a couple of hears ago, we fired a very popular and proven coach, well maybe not 1st grade success, but he had form;

He was fired because , the Sharks fell at the finals, and then Front Office hires Fitz this defence guru , a wunderkind, supposedly resposible for hiding a broken cronk against the merciless Melbourne storm , a 12 on 13 masterclass

I say this because, well the Sharks have fallen out of the finals epically , 2 seasons in a row, with the same team, the same team that will be there next season, and as far as I know the same assistant coaches.

My point of all this is, do we really think , the same team , and basically a lot who were under bomber too, will suddenly gain extra pounds of muscle , or a new skill, or more tackling efficiency?

I get that there are always reasons/excuses, this guy was injured or this player was in a form slump, but my point is, this is on the coach, you get paid top $ because there is a certain expectation that is required.


I may be unaware of somebody on this forum who knows somebody who knows somebody, but are there any rumblings from the front office that , hey things are not going to plan, or are they sitting pat and expect their bluff will payoff next finals

Being a sharks supporter is hard , no we are not perpetual cellar dwellers, but we do not really make a mark either, I would like, sometime this century, ( and this maybe selfish seeing the porch light was turned off n all ) , that they make a mark, are seen as threats, like real sharks are!

Honestly, I'd be surprised if this squad won a grand final. Even with (or due to?) the addition of Nicho. You look at the squads that do (or get very close) and there is the makings of a recipe. Grizzled harmen causing chaos in the middle. Elite level wily half. Extensively involved fullback. Breakout backline player. Tackle busting, offloading second rower. Impact player off the bench. Solid hooker with a little craftiness. And generally excellent defence.

I think we're a few pieces of the puzzle short at the moment. The big question is can the current squad become the ingredients? I've seen progress the second half of this year, so I think it's possible but unlikely... Which isn't too bold a prediction, it's bloody hard to win a GF!

 

[Seenoevil]

Honestly, I'd be surprised if this squad won a grand final. Even with (or due to?) the addition of Nicho. You look at the squads that do (or get very close) and there is the makings of a recipe. Grizzled harmen causing chaos in the middle. Elite level wily half. Extensively involved fullback. Breakout backline player. Tackle busting, offloading second rower. Impact player off the bench. Solid hooker with a little craftiness. And generally excellent defence.

I think we're a few pieces of the puzzle short at the moment. The big question is can the current squad become the ingredients? I've seen progress the second half of this year, so I think it's possible but unlikely... Which isn't too bold a prediction, it's bloody hard to win a GF!

Was this the case?


Not really the same team. Only 7 players from the 2024 squad played all 3 finals games the last two years, and one of those was Rudolf the 9 toed reindeer.

1. Kennedy injured in 2023
2. Katoa injured in 2022
3. Ramien
4. Talakai injured in 2022
5. Mulitalo
6. Moylan out / Trindall in
7. Hynes
8. Rudolf
9. Brailey
10. BHU injured in 2023
11. Nikora
12. Graham out (also - Wilton injured in 2023)
13. Finucane injured in 2023
-
14. McInnes
15. Williams injured in 2022
16. Hunt injured 2023 Rabbitohs game
17. Colquhoun / Hazelton / Kaufusi


Injuries are a real thing, and I'm sure there are plenty of player who have improvement in them (Trindall, Hazelton, Colquhoun and Wilton to name a few).

Also - check out the Finucane thread. I put up some interesting numbers around BHU's tackle efficiency with Toby and Dale healthy or not. Guys actually play better when they have the best players around them.

The team played 2 games all season with Nicho, BHU, Toby and Dale in the team. In one of those games 2 other forwards got hurt (Nikora & Kaufusi) and in another there was 4 bench forwards unavailable for selection (Hazelton, Colquhoun, Graham & Kaufusi).

The team played 0 games where Fitz got his halfback, his starting middles, and 4 healthy bench forwards.

I do no know how you highlight the text , like make it bold, as you do
Having said that,
I was under the impression that Bomber was fired because our reputation , which seems is backed by evidence , that, we cannot advance in the finals, have no form matching with the heavyweights; and front office thought Coach Fitzgibbon was the savior, but maybe I am wrong.

I hear everything you say, about who or where we can/could improve; and you certainly do great analytics ; and I can appreciate your knowledge; but to the eye test, I feel we have a some brittle big guys, I know injuries are part of a collision sport.

I want to be confident, maybe it is that the Coach hasn't been able to get everything exactly like he wants, maybe,
And maybe he has a book titled " Plan B " gathering dust somewhere

Is it just me , or does Kade Dykes look severely bigger than at the start of last pre-season?
Again just my eye test, he looks to have packed on about 40 lbs of muscle give or take

I would like to see some rookies make a splash, like Iro, Dykes.

For me personally, I know I will have a lot of opposition to my analysis, but I think Hynes is not a halfback, and Talakai is not a center , but he does have the softest hands of any big guy bar none .

I think Coach Fitzgibbon has made big calls , does he get another season of Hynes at halfback and Talakai at center if we fail again?

Just saying stuff out loud

I hope I am wrong.

 

[bort]

I was under the impression that Bomber was fired because our reputation , which seems is backed by evidence , that, we cannot advance in the finals, have no form matching with the heavyweights; and front office thought Coach Fitzgibbon was the savior, but maybe I am wrong.

Bomber was fired more because of who he was (and wasn’t) rather than results.
His results were actually pretty acceptable given circumstances (reduced cap).

Bomber was brought in as an emergency coach when preseason was already underway (January) because he was cheap and knew the system and players. Gave us the best chance to not fall too far.

He did fairly admirably at this but when a perceived higher upside coach became available we pulled the rug out from under Bomber.

And expected this rookie coach to somehow be instantly better than the old rookie coach.

Bomber never had a full cap to try and show what he could do.

 

[Seenoevil]

Bomber was fired more because of who he was (and wasn’t) rather than results.
His results were actually pretty acceptable given circumstances (reduced cap).

Bomber was brought in an emergency coach when preseason was already underway (January) because he was cheap and knew the system and players. Gave us the best chance to not fall too far.

He did fairly admirably at this but when a perceived higher upside coach became available we pulled the rug out from under Bomber.

And expected this rookie coach to somehow be instantly better than the old rookie coach.

Bomber never had a full cap to try and show what he could do.

Ahh I see , yes I do remember now , what you say, covid times kinda skewers my memory.
I do recall him being made as you say an interim coach, and that obiously means he was kinda sucker punched for his time and effort
Ancient history ig, but good point, how would he have gone, with as you say, no cap constraint and what people he may have wanted and then what results might have followed, we will never know.

Kind of a shame, because given his history as a coach his knowledge of junior upcoming players would have been extensive.

Front office would have to be feeling some strain, given they fired Bomber and handed the keys off , thinking or hoping it was a sure thing.

Time will tell.

 

[Sharkfox]

Start by making changes using the roster we have, get the two dummy half system going and put Berrell on the bench, Nicho at five eighth and get Trindall at halfback to manage games. Look at making Talakai an edge back rower enforcer, it will get him involved more running lines, he's fast for a nugget, draws in defenders and can pass/offload. Give Iro start of the season at centre, if he doesnt step up then replace him. Wilton and all the other forwards can fight it out for spots

 

[Sevshark]

 

[bort]

Start by making changes using the roster we have, get the two dummy half system going and put Berrell on the bench, Nicho at five eighth and get Trindall at halfback to manage games. Look at making Talakai an edge back rower enforcer, it will get him involved more running lines, he's fast for a nugget, draws in defenders and can pass/offload. Give Iro start of the season at centre, if he doesnt step up then replace him. Wilton and all the other forwards can fight it out for spots

Ah, two of my biggest pet hates
- Trinballs magical game managing abilities, superior to Nichos, everyone can see except the coach except he can now see them but knows they are shirt powered
- ‘give’ someone a jersey

Talakai is the only forward who starts preseason in the top 17 is a hot new call

 

[Wiz]

Ah, two of my biggest pet hates
- Trinballs magical game managing abilities, superior to Nichos, everyone can see except the coach except he can now see them but knows they are shirt powered
- ‘give’ someone a jersey

Talakai is the only forward who starts preseason in the top 17 is a hot new call

Ah yes the good old a coach can never get it wrong.

Is this the same coach that left young Matt Moylan in the starting team until round 20 ? And on the bench after that to never be used ? Same coach that re-signed him for another 2 years taking up valuable $ ?

 

[Super Impose]

I haven't posted on here in a long time, well since our inglorious exit from the finals...again

But I wanted to just throw some things out and see , if any , the response.

Soo a couple of hears ago, we fired a very popular and proven coach, well maybe not 1st grade success, but he had form;

He was fired because , the Sharks fell at the finals, and then Front Office hires Fitz this defence guru , a wunderkind, supposedly resposible for hiding a broken cronk against the merciless Melbourne storm , a 12 on 13 masterclass

I say this because, well the Sharks have fallen out of the finals epically , 2 seasons in a row, with the same team, the same team that will be there next season, and as far as I know the same assistant coaches.

My point of all this is, do we really think , the same team , and basically a lot who were under bomber too, will suddenly gain extra pounds of muscle , or a new skill, or more tackling efficiency?

I get that there are always reasons/excuses, this guy was injured or this player was in a form slump, but my point is, this is on the coach, you get paid top $ because there is a certain expectation that is required.


I may be unaware of somebody on this forum who knows somebody who knows somebody, but are there any rumblings from the front office that , hey things are not going to plan, or are they sitting pat and expect their bluff will payoff next finals

Being a sharks supporter is hard , no we are not perpetual cellar dwellers, but we do not really make a mark either, I would like, sometime this century, ( and this maybe selfish seeing the porch light was turned off n all ) , that they make a mark, are seen as threats, like real sharks are!

Good post - l wish I had the answers to some very good questions ..

 

[Sharkfox]

Ah, two of my biggest pet hates
- Trinballs magical game managing abilities, superior to Nichos, everyone can see except the coach except he can now see them but knows they are shirt powered
- ‘give’ someone a jersey

Talakai is the only forward who starts preseason in the top 17 is a hot new call

That coach and his assistants that turned a blind eye after some floggings (or rapings) season seemed to improve when Trindall was finally brought in back end of season haha. No one says he's an elite half back, the next joey or has magical abilities, but he is a genuine halfback, has the skillset and should be given the chance to see if he can manage games in his prefered position. Who knows might compliment Nicho's game better, taking pressure off him. Nicho as a running five eighth will kill it, he is not a game managing half back, as much as they try to make him one. Either focus only managing games and being an organising halfback or move to five eighth and pick your moments.

As for Talakai, he will be in the 17, he will most likely stay at centre unless he is moved to the forwards for next season making way for Tracey or Iro. If he is moved to the forwards make him a starting back rower with Nikora both running lines and make him into an enforcer for defense

 

[Seenoevil]

That coach and his assistants that turned a blind eye after some floggings (or rapings) season seemed to improve when Trindall was finally brought in back end of season haha. No one says he's an elite half back, the next joey or has magical abilities, but he is a genuine halfback, has the skillset and should be given the chance to see if he can manage games in his prefered position. Who knows might compliment Nicho's game better, taking pressure off him. Nicho as a running five eighth will kill it, he is not a game managing half back, as much as they try to make him one. Either focus only managing games and being an organising halfback or move to five eighth and pick your moments.

As for Talakai, he will be in the 17, he will most likely stay at centre unless he is moved to the forwards for next season making way for Tracey or Iro. If he is moved to the forwards make him a starting back rower with Nikora both running lines and make him into an enforcer for defense

That coach and his assistants that turned a blind eye after some floggings (or rapings) season seemed to improve when Trindall was finally brought in back end of season haha. No one says he's an elite half back, the next joey or has magical abilities, but he is a genuine halfback, has the skillset and should be given the chance to see if he can manage games in his prefered position. Who knows might compliment Nicho's game better, taking pressure off him. Nicho as a running five eighth will kill it, he is not a game managing half back, as much as they try to make him one. Either focus only managing games and being an organising halfback or move to five eighth and pick your moments.

As for Talakai, he will be in the 17, he will most likely stay at centre unless he is moved to the forwards for next season making way for Tracey or Iro. If he is moved to the forwards make him a starting back rower with Nikora both running lines and make him into an enforcer for defense

I do not know if Trindall is the answer, but something that has stuck in my mind , is
Idk who the Sharks were playing it was obviously in the back end of the season, and Connor T was playing fb , but anyways the Sharks were in the red zone , and Trindall had the ball in hand running deep towards the right corner and you could see how he engineered the try , it was all on him , I am pretty sure he called Connor T inisde and he scored, I guess they had an understanding from being Newtown boys, but he looked a halfback, and can 40/20
Nicho just doesn't look at ease, or comfortable being the organizer

I like your idea for Talakai, he can certainly tackle front on, I don't think he has looked comfortable tackling since a few seasons ago, when he cut this guy in half and got suspended for contact to the head, complete bs

 

[bort]

I do not know if Trindall is the answer, but something that has stuck in my mind , is
Idk who the Sharks were playing it was obviously in the back end of the season, and Connor T was playing fb , but anyways the Sharks were in the red zone , and Trindall had the ball in hand running deep towards the right corner and you could see how he engineered the try , it was all on him , I am pretty sure he called Connor T inisde and he scored, I guess they had an understanding from being Newtown boys, but he looked a halfback, and can 40/20
Nicho just doesn't look at ease, or comfortable being the organizer

Sounds like Trindall would make a good running 5/8

 

[Seenoevil]

Sounds like Trindall would make a good running 5/8

All I am saying is, after the fade outs of the past two seasons
Everything should be on the table
It has to be competition for spots, no favorites , no guarantees
Except Nicho of course, poster boy million $ man not withstanding

The competition has to be intense, training thru pre-season games
Picking teams is above my pay grade and expertise , no clue on Coach Fitzgibbons threshold of accountability

I do know trying the same thing and expecting different results won't work

 

[Wiz]

All I am saying is, after the fade outs of the past two seasons
Everything should be on the table
It has to be competition for spots, no favorites , no guarantees
Except Nicho of course, poster boy million $ man not withstanding

The competition has to be intense, training thru pre-season games
Picking teams is above my pay grade and expertise , no clue on Coach Fitzgibbons threshold of accountability

I do know trying the same thing and expecting different results won't work

Good post but I don’t think Nicho deserves the favouritism at all, we’re in the position we’re in because of giving him favouritism

Being a one man team is not a flex

 

[HaroldBishop]

Good post but I don’t think Nicho deserves the favouritism at all, we’re in the position we’re in because of giving him favouritism

Being a one man team is not a flex

I love Nicho and yes he had a good year in 2022. Fact is we're paying a pretty inexperienced half 7 figures.

It's a gamble but one we probably had to take.

Nicho needs to lose the hero mindset though, he's not capable of doing everything. If he truly believes that then he's very arrogant and not a team player.

 

[Wiz]

I love Nicho and yes he had a good year in 2022. Fact is we're paying a pretty inexperienced half 7 figures.

It's a gamble but one we probably had to take.

Nicho needs to lose the hero mindset though, he's not capable of doing everything. If he truly believes that then he's very arrogant and not a team player.

Big time

 

[Western Sharkie]

View attachment 29877

Hey!
that was my idea!

except I said to KEEP THE MONEY, but I also like the “Sharks have hearts” option.

Should have sold off brick by brick to the supporters to help with the redevelopment of the leagues club!

Opportunity missed……

 

[Sparkles]

Anyone else on this one?
www.Nrlgrid com