Breakout/Standout Year

[sharkyboy]

Whose year is it to shine?

Now this doesn't just mean a rookies bust out year or anything. This could be anyone in the squad. Is barba going to bounce back and prove himself to the supporters and have a big year at fullback?

Is bukuya going to get back to his best? Or maybe Gal is going to have a strong year for the club playing 20 odd games and get less involved and just hit the ball up hard and straight?

For me, it's going to be Jesse sene-lefao. This guy is all guys and leaves nothing in the tank. He's passionate, he's tough and he's going to be a monster off the bench for us. I also think he'll become a cult favourite with the fans.

Who do you think is going to have the best year in sharks colours and maybe take out the Sharks forever player of the year?

 

[Thresher]

Maloney

and Chad won't be too far behind

 

[rahnos]

I think David Fifita is going to have a good game in the All stars match and go from strength to strength through the season for us. I just hope he doesn't start the trying to milk a penalty bs that his brother does and gets the quick play the ball

 

[sharkyboy]

Both good picks!

Chad is my number 2. I think he is seriously in for a huge year, I can't wait to watch him especially after impressing in the nines.

This is David's year. He needs to show what he is made of and do what he does best which is running hard and straight. Some match fitness and confidence and maybe he can become a reliable prop for us

 

[Mr Wright]

Both my predictions will be based on the assumption of team selection going the way I hope it will go.

#1 David Fifita.

I'm backing David in for a huge year and for him to fully cement his spot in the team week in week out. To me, the whole Taga starting experience is past it's used by date. David has much more natural talent as an out and out prop and with a lot of our forwards being able to play big minutes, I think we can afford to have David in the team as a luxury who only punches out 40 or so minutes a game. Big Dave is just as damaging as a runner as Andrew is but in a different style. More so powerful rather than the finesse and x-factor Andrew can bring.

I can see Dave being a wrecking ball through the middle of the field, gaining huge chunks of metres for us and in turn will help Maloney/Chad/Ennis feed the backs quickly off fast play the balls. Our pack is small, but with both the Fifitas fit and firing, that isn't so much of a problem. For mine, I can't see how anyone leaves David out of the top 17 for round 1. All he needs is consistent playing time and the bloke will become a very viable option for us.


#2 Gerard Beale

I'm making the premise of this pick based on the hope he will be left centre outside of Maloney/Wade. With Maloney hopefully straightening our attack, I can see a big year for that left hand side attack, especially Gerard. Beale has always struck me as a player who is good, but plays at a rep level when surrounded by superior talent inside him and that's exactly what he will have with Maloney. I mean there no coincidence that even when struggling for form Beale still would get picked in the NZ side, it's because he needs the quality around him to really lift his game.

At times last season Bird really stifled Beales chances to make the most of opportunities out wide. With a half that plays so direct as Maloney, holes will open up for Beale and I think we will see many more tries out of him this season. The 'Specialist Try Assist' label will be taken off and some of you guys will realise how good a player he is. Well, I hope so anyway.

 

[Western Sharkie]

I reckon our backline as a whole.

Especially if we use this lineup:

1. Barba
2. Val
3. Bird
4. Beale
5. Feki/ Gagan
6. Jimmy
7. The Chad

There is plenty of class, speed, skill, youth and X factor throughout that backline and I think that they could have a standout season as a unit and will cause a lot of headaches for opposition players and coaches.

 

[Sir Chadley]

Great thread SB.

For me it's our halves. They have to fire for us to succeed and I'm really hoping they will. Not entirely sold on Chad but he is a different player from two years ago, his time at the Warriors was well spent.

If these two stay injury free for most of the year I'm confident we'll shine.

 

[BlackWhiteBlue]

Honestly i reckon Bird will go to another level this year. At the 9s he seemed to be really trying to get his hands dirty. If he keeps the effort up he will do great things for us

 

[Spanner shark]

lf our halves get selected for Origin (Daley likes combos) or get injured , l think Cleeland will shine.

 

[sharks2010]

Ricky leutele because he will finally get early ball...

 

[Tank]

Ricky leutele because he will finally get early ball...

To true. Id say about 1.30pm in reserve grade!

 

[deano the p]

Hopefully Barba, he gets back to close to our best and we are a huge threat.

David Fifita could potentially force his way into the side and that would be another big boost for us.

 

[vicsharkfan]

I was going to say Robbo now that the shackles are off, he can play adlib kiwi style...
I'm hoping barba and taga ti shine all season from the get go the others holding their form, should see us go real good..

 

[Tatus]

Wade is going to be my pick. I don't think he will of improved that much but i feel he jump into that category of 'players that everybody knows'. Indigi jersey - hopefully he can make besties with with Daley and get a blue one too!

It's been said a million time but the caliber of halves is going to do wonders his this team. Now with a few smart, old heads around the club (Ennis, Gal, Maloney) you get the inkling they might tell Flanno to P$ss off and actually play some football.

Ennis will do Ennis again. I can't see him dropping off this year. Too much of a professional, you would think a 3rd year with the Sharks is all but.

Can't believe its here already! Wasn't a long off-season at all.

 

[HaroldBishop]

To true. Id say about 1.30pm in reserve grade!

:lmao

 

[ABshark]

Dave Fifita.

 

[snowman]

Barba will be the standout

Capewell will be the breakout

dont @ me when i'm right again

 

[illmatic shark]

Gerard Beale is going to take his attacking game to another level with Maloney's direct style of play. He'll have a heap more open space to work with.

We all know he can set-up a try but I won't be surprised if we see him scoring a many this year too.

 

[ABshark]

Capewell and Barba are good shouts. We need a couple of forwards to stand up.

I think Cleeland will.have a good year in NSW Cup after a slowish start.

Saying Ennis and Maloney etc, even Graham is pointless. Their average seasons are excellent.

 

[stormshark]

Agree with BWB, Bird for mine, the kid was awesome in the 9s again, a shining beacon amongst some fog. Will lift another gear.
Barba a close second.