Official Craig Fitzgibbon

[Deleted member 2543]

On the Blayke Brailey being unfairly targeted subject, I blame a misinterpretation of the Whipping Boy concept.

At least half of the punters on here seemed to think it was all about singling out a player and going all in, rather than thinking about who's copping the blame when they shouldn't necessarily be.

Or was I the one getting the concept wrong?

This could possibly be part of it. WB concept started as the bold one... but I reckon you are right in that some people went the other way.

 

[Deleted member 3365]

Don’t think I’ve ever questioned BB’s attitude.

His service from DH and D is fine. I was just hoping he would kick out of DH a bit more often in the earlier part of the season. He has a good kick on him and it would give us an extra option.

I definitely was a critic of BB but he's attitude was not the issue.

When he jumped on the scene he had such a great start, this year not sure if it was how he was utilised but he did seem to drop in form.

 

[Deleted member 2543]

That’s all well and good. But for a group who say they’re against bullying, having a man serve his punishment (which was deserved) and then talking trash about him and his opinions directly or indirectly (not you) without letting him comment back is very weak

Whatever is wrong with his account is unrelated to his ban.

Anything people have said about his behaviour he brought on himself with his carry-on. If he's not here to justify it, that doesn't mean it can't be discussed by the other members.

As for opinions... those aren't sacred. His are just as fair game as mine and yours.

 

[Deleted member 2543]

I definitely was a critic of BB but he's attitude was not the issue.

When he jumped on the scene he had such a great start, this year not sure if it was how he was utilised but he did seem to drop in form.

All good. I can't remember who it was, but mid-year-ish there was a bit of a nonsense around his attitude. Drop in form is due to being too comfy, believing his own press, not following the game plan etc.

Is just feels a bit off when people start commenting on things like a player's attitude, commitment, motivations etc. when they really know bugger all about the player personally. Hopefully the comments from both Fitz and Finucane have put it to bed

 

[Proud Shark]

I'm excited to see how Fitz handles this season. He is at a bit of a crossroads with this squad with some tough decisions to be made about its future. Having been together for a while, they'll need to take the next step, or some changes will need to be made. He has a serious crop of exciting rookies who are ready to stake their claim or could start looking elsewhere too. Although, there has been nothing yet to suggest that the young guys aren't buying what he's selling.

This year has a bit of a 2015 feeling about it to me. With the right decisions and development, we could be in it up to our eyeballs for a crack next year.

 

[Gards]

All good. I can't remember who it was, but mid-year-ish there was a bit of a nonsense around his attitude. Drop in form is due to being too comfy, believing his own press, not following the game plan etc.

Is just feels a bit off when people start commenting on things like a player's attitude, commitment, motivations etc. when they really know bugger all about the player personally. Hopefully the comments from both Fitz and Finucane have put it to bed

It's because his demeanour came across as a bit casual and smug

In reality he was still working hard making plenty of tackles and giving alot of ball but that still doesn't mean perhaps he has become somewhat complacent and could use some genuine competition or even just some help from the bench.

He has another level or 2, we have seen glimpses of it. If the coach is telling him not to play at that higher level / style of play then that is a leash I would prefer to be taken off. Also not great if the coach is content with mediocrity.

As it stands I can think of Sharks players that have improved alot more than him in recent years and more deserving of club awards

I'm excited to see how Fitz handles this season. He is at a bit of a crossroads with this squad with some tough decisions to be made about its future. Having been together for a while, they'll need to take the next step, or some changes will need to be made. He has a serious crop of exciting rookies who are ready to stake their claim or could start looking elsewhere too. Although, there has been nothing yet to suggest that the young guys aren't buying what he's selling.

This year has a bit of a 2015 feeling about it to me. With the right decisions and development, we could be in it up to our eyeballs for a crack next year.

Fitness and consistency in our Spine & Forward pack is what we need - with that we are quite capable and can go far, maybe even when a finals game or 2.

We have very good players across the park, we just need them all on the park together for more than a week at a time to build that trust and cohesion not to mention individual form and confidence. We had that to a large extent in 2016.

This will also make the coaches job easier week to week, just pick the same squad each week and let them do their thing and make minor adjustments to gameplan or personnel as required.

We had a few too many week links (defense and form especially) in 2023 and by the time it was properly address in was later season and we had other injuries becoming a factor and new combos still developing.

If we are getting genuinely close and can mount a serious challenge to the premiership that should be our primary focus, development and youth retention can take a back seat to that in the interim as far as I am concerned but ideally we can find a good balance and manage both objectives alongside each other.

 

[Proud Shark]

If we are getting genuinely close and can mount a serious challenge to the premiership that should be our primary focus, development and youth retention can take a back seat to that in the interim as far as I am concerned but ideally we can find a good balance and manage both objectives alongside each other.

Couldn't agree more. I guess that was my point, the season is set up so nicely for Fitz to be able to determine where this team is at by the mid point to see what/if anything needs to be tweaked.

 

[Sparkles]

As it stands I can think of Sharks players that have improved alot more than him in recent years and more deserving of club awards

Comes back to the old 'you only see them for 80 minutes' mate. And he's still very good during those. Add to that the respect he has from the whole team and staff, peers and rep coaches and the guy must be doing a lot right during the rest of the week for the whole squad.

 

[Deleted member 2543]

Comes back to the old 'you only see them for 80 minutes' mate. And he's still very good during those. Add to that the respect he has from the whole team and staff, peers and rep coaches and the guy must be doing a lot right during the rest of the week for the whole squad.

... and in that 80 minutes the coach is looking at a lot more things than most fans are. He is also sober while viewing games, which helps immensely.

 

[Gards]

... and in that 80 minutes the coach is looking at a lot more things than most fans are. He is also sober while viewing games, which helps immensely.

Fitz needs to sink back a couple then log onto the forum mid game so he knows what players he has to **** off forever

 

[egg]

... and in that 80 minutes the coach is looking at a lot more things than most fans are. He is also sober while viewing games, which helps immensely.

NOOOOO WAY !!!!
We know best , being a bit drunk lets our true thoughts shine through
Post game interview with a pissed Fitz would have seen Mozza dropped months earlier

 

[Sparkles]

... and in that 80 minutes the coach is looking at a lot more things than most fans are. He is also sober while viewing games, which helps immensely.

I agree with most of what you say mate, but that last sentence is blatantly ludicrous

 

[Deleted member 2543]

I agree with most of what you say mate, but that last sentence is blatantly ludicrous

The coach mate. The coach.

4 games tomorrow starting around lunchtime. Pace yourselves.

 

[Sir Chadley]

The coach mate. The coach.

4 games tomorrow starting around lunchtime. Pace yourselves.

Can't wait!

 

[Sparkles]

The coach mate. The coach.

4 games tomorrow starting around lunchtime. Pace yourselves.

Even then... you wouldn't catch Tommy sober. I suspect Ricky has a few before games. And whatever keeps Bennett going can't be purely medicinal!

 

[Proud Shark]

Gotta give Fitz some credit for comments like this. The culture at the club atm has to be the best I've ever seen it.

I had this sort of realisation moment of having to look at the boys and tell them - if I was to leave - that I was leaving," a grateful Hamlin-Uele said in a media statement.

"I just broke down and cried and I knew just then that I'm meant to be a Cronulla Shark for as long as I can and I'm meant to be in the Shire.

"This club means everything to me, the boys mean everything to me. I love them like a second family and I'm just so grateful and thankful that I can be here for another two years with them.

 

[Capital_Shark]

Gotta give Fitz some credit for comments like this. The culture at the club atm has to be the best I've ever seen it.

I had this sort of realisation moment of having to look at the boys and tell them - if I was to leave - that I was leaving," a grateful Hamlin-Uele said in a media statement.

"I just broke down and cried and I knew just then that I'm meant to be a Cronulla Shark for as long as I can and I'm meant to be in the Shire.

"This club means everything to me, the boys mean everything to me. I love them like a second family and I'm just so grateful and thankful that I can be here for another two years with them.

Obviously created an environment people not only wanna be a part of but will make some sacrifices to stay a part of. Other players will see that too come recruitment.

 

[Deleted member 2543]

Bomber probably deserves a bit of rep for identifying, developing and asembling the bulk of this team too.

 

[HaroldBishop]

Bomber probably deserves a bit of rep for identifying, developing and asembling the bulk of this team too.

Yeah was always a strength of his.

 

[Western Sharkie]

Bomber probably deserves a bit of rep for identifying, developing and asembling the bulk of this team too.

Shame we sold him a dummy and didn’t leave him looking after our “futures” teams at the time.

i would imagine Fitz (HC) with Bomber (assistant and development coach) would be a great combo for now and into the future