Official 2026 Trial 1 - Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks vs Parramatta Eels @ Henson Park, 6pm Sunday 15-Feb

I’m as protective as most about the Sharks but I can’t honestly think of a media/commentator out there who makes it obvious they don’t like us.

We might not be certain commentators favourites but I don’t mind them having a go if we deserve it, we get plenty of back slaps when we are going well, sometimes over the top which at times, I think our blokes start to believe it.
Brandy, Tallis and to a lesser extent Cronk. But in saying that Brandy does it most non-Penrith Sydney teams
 
Brandy, Tallis and to a lesser extent Cronk. But in saying that Brandy does it most non-Penrith Sydney teams
I have heard Cronk on numerous times defend Hynes and the way we use him at the Sharks. In particular last year around finals time.

I feel Tallis (on NRL 360) falls victim to whichever side of the argument the producer needs him to be on the night. Listen to him on any other podcast / interview and he is completely different.

Brandy is pretty biased towards Penrith (as you pointed out). Haven't really seen him bag out Sharks (when we didn't deserve it).
 
I have heard Cronk on numerous times defend Hynes and the way we use him at the Sharks. In particular last year around finals time.

I feel Tallis (on NRL 360) falls victim to whichever side of the argument the producer needs him to be on the night. Listen to him on any other podcast / interview and he is completely different.

Brandy is pretty biased towards Penrith (as you pointed out). Haven't really seen him bag out Sharks (when we didn't deserve it).
You’ll notice from the commentators it’s more “the opposition did this bad, rather than sharks did this good”

My favourite from Brandy was round 1 2 years ago vs warriors.
First set. Warriors make 60 metres “great attacking set there”
In reply sharks make 60 metres “great defensive set there”
 
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You’ll notice from the commentators it’s more “the opposition did this bad, rather than sharks did this good”

My favourite from Brandy was round 1 2 years ago vs warriors.
First set. Warriors make 60 metres “great attacking set there”
In reply sharks make 60 metres “great defensive set there”
At least you're not holding a grudge! 😀
 
I think Vossy is great. A bit over the top at times, but his role is to make it entertaining. I don't think he ever has a go at us negatively. Maybe he pointed out our lack of points despite decent field position, but that's not unfair. Granted, had more positives to say about the Eels as they piled on points.
Our spine & young backline didn't look strong to finish off I'll certainly say that but if he gives credit where credits due, I thought our young props looked strong getting good metres & half breaks, I would have thought to say that at least our young forward pack looked strong, Felix, McCullough etc.

Most people have always said our forward pack has & is probably always going to be our strongest area.
 
Our spine & young backline didn't look strong to finish off I'll certainly say that but if he gives credit where credits due, I thought our young props looked strong getting good metres & half breaks, I would have thought to say that at least our young forward pack looked strong, Felix, McCullough etc.

Most people have always said our forward pack has & is probably always going to be our strongest area.
They did call out Felix specifically saying that he's had a few great moments.
 
He’s been okay
Not someone I want us to play but does look like someone you’re happy to have in the 19 when injury strikes
I think he did a good job considering the lack of direction from the halves, lots of one out. In 50 mins at fullback he had 18 run 121m 7 tackle breaks and 0 errors. Did have that one indecisive moment at fullback leading to an eels try. I thought everything else was positive with the lack of attack. Definitely could be a good option 14-19
 
Maybe we take it more seriously if was $100m
I honestly don’t think it’s on our radar, in fact two seasons or so back, we were playing in a trial, from memory, it was something like we needed 5 or so offloads in the second half to claim the pre season cup & to jag the 100k.

The commentators were making a thing of it as the minutes ticked away, saying, surely we will start to offload shortly, it never came.

Fitz was later quizzed about it, played a straight bat & said he wasn’t aware of it.

Funny in a way, yet a little silly as well, something so simple could be overlooked by so many of the staffers in or around the team.
100k is not a lot in the big scheme of things in a footy club but they could of divided it up, had a good end of season drink or different social gatherings etc etc.
 
You’ll notice from the commentators it’s more “the opposition did this bad, rather than sharks did this good”

My favourite from Brandy was round 1 2 years ago vs warriors.
First set. Warriors make 60 metres “great attacking set there”
In reply sharks make 60 metres “great defensive set there”
As much as Brandy is a flog like I said in my other post, he'd be slightly biased towards the Warriors as he is a foundation player for them and played there for 2 years in 1995 & 1996 before returning home to the Panfers in 1997.
 
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