No secrets to Sharks success
387 words
25 June 2006
Australian Associated Press - Sports News
LEAGUE By Philip Henderson
SYDNEY, June 25 AAP - Cronulla skipper Brett Kimmorley admits his NRL team has lost the element of surprise, but it's not hampering the Sharks' surge in 2006.
After shoring up a spot in the top four with Saturday night's 26-16 win over Newcastle at EnergyAustralia Stadium, Kimmorley said most clubs had figured out the Sharks' game plan.
"I think at the start of the year we were sneaking under the radar, but most side's know how we play now," Kimmorley said.
"We try to have the forwards dominate, and I think most sides are preparing very well for us coming through the middle (of the field).
"(Newcastle) did that in the first half very well, they played a rushing defence and stopped us from going around them.
"I don't think we're sneaking under anyone's guard, I think we're just playing some good footy."
Cronulla scored four of the final five tries against the Knights, coming from 10-0 behind at halftime to extend its winning streak to four, and make it eight victories from nine starts.
"We didn't panic, we played some good footy and came up with some brilliant plays to score some tries," Kimmorley said.
"We just hung in there long enough, that's what we've been about the last few weeks.
"We're not just throwing the ball to some bloke and saying 'hey score a try for us'. We're just doing it really well as a team."
Cronulla coach Stuart Raper said memories of last year's meeting between the two sides in Newcastle - where the Sharks were thumped 44-14 - were a factor in the victory.
"Coming to a place like this it's always tough, and memories of last year's game were probably haunting a few of these guys," the coach said.
"They ambushed us here (last year), and we didn't want that to happen again and I think our preparation was really good and the guys focus was really good."
"We had a bit of luck too, they had a couple of tries disallowed, but at the end of the day rules are rules... I think you make you're luck by working hard."
