Are we playing tougher?

[Shiredad]

I've been watching a replay of Monday Night's slaughtering of the dragqueens, and the overall impression that I'm getting is that we are playing a harder game, and complaining a whole lot less.

Obviously Birdies hit is one piece of evidence ... here's some more:

Leuluai: sprints at 3 dragons defenders, gets smashed and injures Ryles in the process. Straight back onto his feet, plays the ball. Another tackle is made, and Leuluai sprints back onto the pass out of the ruck and does it again, but even harder. A penalty is called in our favour, and he's straight on his feet. Does he feel pain?

Kimmorley: #7's get smashed a lot making the kick - early in the second half, he gets solidly hit, quite late, and he's down. The ref misses it and play goes on. Doesn't Kimmorley normally go a bit red in the face and complain to the ref? Not this time. Back on his feet, play goes on. This happens more than once, yet I don't think I saw him complaining.

Maybe all that just comes down to winning, and the confidence it brings. Can you think of any more evidence from other games?

I also remembered reading or hearing somewhere about when Ricky was playing in Canberra, as captain, he introduced a fine system for whenever a team member complained about the cold. That is, if a player complained, he would have to pay a fine. He was trying to make Canberra a tougher team - shrugging off pain and discomfort, and getting on with the game.

If that's one thing he's bringing to the sharks, I like it!

 

[sharkiesfreak]

im pretty sure uve hit the nail on the head there shireboy...

 

[Dr Prawn]

Finally got to watch it right through tonight (via my spanking new broadband connection!). Yes, they're hanging tough, and the bits you mentioned were certainly standouts. Up so quick in defence too - and they did it all night. The backs seemed to be taking the forwards lead and were attacking the line head-on and not just trying to skirt around opposition forwards. Definitely a confident looking team and that confidence will only grow from that win. As the week wears on, I'm more and more assured we'll be leaving Campbelltown with two points on Sunday.

 

[Visage1]

I agree that there seems to be an overdue attitude improvement with the team. It frustrated me immensely when the Sharks players would complain to referees over decisions that obviously couldn't be overturned. We don't want to be seen as a bunch of whingers but rather a champion team who take the good calls with the bad. Go you Sharkies!

 

[Great White]

Lets not get ahead of ourselves here, Penrith we were tough and grinding and patient and clinical, we won.

Titans we cruised poor line speed made more errors, geared down in the second half, we lost.

Souths, no enthusiasm, poor structure, poor attitude, did not dig deep when down. We lost.

Dragons, they were dismal, that helped, we played quite within ourselves, tried hard, controlled the game well, and were tough and committed, we won.

Consistency is the key here, something we have not had for a few years, the last time we had it was the run into the semi's under opes and make the qualifying final. Yes we are definately capable and aware of what is needed and what we have to do, but the consistency of grinding it out week in and week out mistake free, is what seperates us from say Melbounre who are fantastic at all that kind of stuff.