Alot of you guys might have already read this, it may have already been posted, forgive me for wasting your time if it has, but I would like highlight two things in particular 1 - The Brian Smith comment about Kade Snowden. (personally I cant wait to see him play for us as I believe he will come of age this year and his combination with douglas should be feared for years to come) and 2 - Young Karlos Filiga. We need this guy to live up to the hype. If you have seen his build its hard to believe he wont be successful. The karnt is ripped.
I reckon this is the best preview so far. Thoughts.
Cronulla Sharks - 2008 Preview
NRL
Find Out What the Coaching Staff Think:
Cronulla Sharks (head coach Ricky Stuart)
Seasons don’t get more heartbreaking than the Sharks' 2007 – nine matches lost by four points or less.
After 10 rounds in 2007 the Sharks were flying high, running third behind only Melbourne and Manly before losing 10 of their final 14 matches.
Had Cronulla won just one of those matches they would have featured in the 2007 finals series.
Injuries definitely played their part – Fraser Anderson, Dustin Cooper, Adam Dykes, Brett Kearney, Brett Kimmorley, Phil Leuluai, Ben Ross and Lance Thompson all missed key matches through injury – but the Sharks believe they have identified the reason for the slide and new captain Paul Gallen won’t be accepting the same fate in 2008.
“It’s not good enough to be in games, we need to start winning them,” Gallen said. “If we don’t make the eight and we’re not competitive each week it’s going to be a failed season,” said the new captain.
How They’ll Play It…
Expect Brett Kimmorley to play a low-key role in 2008.
With a forward pack capable of dominating any opposition, featuring the likes of Lance Thompson, Paul Gallen, Greg Bird and Ben Ross, Kimmorley’s main duties will revolve around directing his backline for the fourth and fifth tackle, as opposed to steering the entire Sharks team the whole game like in previous years.
“Sticky [coach Ricky Stuart] and [assistant coach] Shane Flanagan have said a lot of the players grew up last year and started talking more and calling things when I didn’t play,” Kimmorley said.
“Now it’s about me just floating back in and worrying about me, because the team can handle themselves well now.”
Kimmorley’s main target men in the backline will be rangy centre Ben Pomeroy, coming off his best season yet, and livewire fullback Brett Kearney, who returns from a season-ending quadricep injury.
Keep An Eye On…
In 2007 Brian Smith labelled Kade Snowden a “monster with incredible strength and some nice skills”.
But the 112kg, 190cm prop has only played 13 first grade games since his debut for the Knights against Melbourne in 2005.
Hailing from Lakes United in Newcastle, the same junior club as Brett Kimmorley, Snowden is expected by Sharks coaching staff to step up and play a big role for the club in 2008.
They’ll Really Miss…
Adam Dykes – and not just because of his ability as an opportunistic playmaker.
The five-eighth, who debuted for the Sharks in 1995, played a total of 183 first grade matches for the Sharks.
Although he only played 13 matches in 2007, the Sharks will sorely miss his ability to lead the team and his undoubted talents with ball in hand. Dykes now plays with English Super League club Hull.
Time To Stand Up…
Ben Ross looked like exiting the Sharks ‘stage right’ towards the end of 2007.
If the rumours were true he was destined for the English Super League to accommodate released Bulldog Willie Mason.
The Roosters’ capture of Mason ensured Ross stayed in the Shire and now he is part of the Sharks’ eight-man leadership team. Ross now appears to be in-favour with coach Ricky Stuart.
If the Sharks are to make an impact come September, Ross needs to recapture the barnstorming form he demonstrated in 2004 and 2005 when he played for Queensland.
Coach Watch…
At the end of December Ricky Stuart agreed to extend his contract by an additional three years, tying him to Cronulla until 2011.
Just one season in the Shire after transferring from the Roosters, it’s clear the Cronulla Board likes the direction Stuart is taking the club.
But after a year full of bad luck that culminated in the Sharks missing the top eight, greater things are expected of him and his team in 2008.
If Stuart fails to get Cronulla to the finals and challenging for their first title, his position, like any other NRL first grade coach, will come under fire.
They’re All The Better For…
The acquisition of highly-rated Kiwi rookie Karl Filiga.
Formerly known as Karl McNichol, Filiga was once labelled “the next Sonny Bill Williams”… if only by his manager.
The 19-year-old father of one, who has already played for the Junior Kiwis and New Zealand ‘A’, was pinched from under the noses of the Bulldogs by the Sharks mid-way through 2007.
Cronulla’s boss at the time, Greg Pierce, said the rumoured $600,000 over three seasons paid to lure the rookie from Belmore was well worth it.
“It is a lot of money but he is an elite player – outstanding players like this don't come along very often,'' Pierce said.
The Sharks will be hoping he reaches his potential soon. If he does, the NRL had better watch out.
Predicted Finish…
Expect Cronulla to make the top eight. From there anything is possible.
Under-20s…
The Toyota Cup under-20s competition is one place the stars of the future will ply their trade.
Cronulla’s under-20s coach, former Eels and Bulldogs star Jim Dymock, sees the potential of several of his players.
“Nathan Stapleton and Karlos [Filiga] should do well,” Dymock said. “It’s pretty exciting being part of the inaugural competition but it’s going to be pretty tough, too.”
Cronulla Sharks (head coach Ricky Stuart)
Find Out What the Coaching Staff Think:
Cronulla Sharks (head
I reckon this is the best preview so far. Thoughts.
Cronulla Sharks - 2008 Preview
NRL
Find Out What the Coaching Staff Think:
Cronulla Sharks (head coach Ricky Stuart)
Seasons don’t get more heartbreaking than the Sharks' 2007 – nine matches lost by four points or less.
After 10 rounds in 2007 the Sharks were flying high, running third behind only Melbourne and Manly before losing 10 of their final 14 matches.
Had Cronulla won just one of those matches they would have featured in the 2007 finals series.
Injuries definitely played their part – Fraser Anderson, Dustin Cooper, Adam Dykes, Brett Kearney, Brett Kimmorley, Phil Leuluai, Ben Ross and Lance Thompson all missed key matches through injury – but the Sharks believe they have identified the reason for the slide and new captain Paul Gallen won’t be accepting the same fate in 2008.
“It’s not good enough to be in games, we need to start winning them,” Gallen said. “If we don’t make the eight and we’re not competitive each week it’s going to be a failed season,” said the new captain.
How They’ll Play It…
Expect Brett Kimmorley to play a low-key role in 2008.
With a forward pack capable of dominating any opposition, featuring the likes of Lance Thompson, Paul Gallen, Greg Bird and Ben Ross, Kimmorley’s main duties will revolve around directing his backline for the fourth and fifth tackle, as opposed to steering the entire Sharks team the whole game like in previous years.
“Sticky [coach Ricky Stuart] and [assistant coach] Shane Flanagan have said a lot of the players grew up last year and started talking more and calling things when I didn’t play,” Kimmorley said.
“Now it’s about me just floating back in and worrying about me, because the team can handle themselves well now.”
Kimmorley’s main target men in the backline will be rangy centre Ben Pomeroy, coming off his best season yet, and livewire fullback Brett Kearney, who returns from a season-ending quadricep injury.
Keep An Eye On…
In 2007 Brian Smith labelled Kade Snowden a “monster with incredible strength and some nice skills”.
But the 112kg, 190cm prop has only played 13 first grade games since his debut for the Knights against Melbourne in 2005.
Hailing from Lakes United in Newcastle, the same junior club as Brett Kimmorley, Snowden is expected by Sharks coaching staff to step up and play a big role for the club in 2008.
They’ll Really Miss…
Adam Dykes – and not just because of his ability as an opportunistic playmaker.
The five-eighth, who debuted for the Sharks in 1995, played a total of 183 first grade matches for the Sharks.
Although he only played 13 matches in 2007, the Sharks will sorely miss his ability to lead the team and his undoubted talents with ball in hand. Dykes now plays with English Super League club Hull.
Time To Stand Up…
Ben Ross looked like exiting the Sharks ‘stage right’ towards the end of 2007.
If the rumours were true he was destined for the English Super League to accommodate released Bulldog Willie Mason.
The Roosters’ capture of Mason ensured Ross stayed in the Shire and now he is part of the Sharks’ eight-man leadership team. Ross now appears to be in-favour with coach Ricky Stuart.
If the Sharks are to make an impact come September, Ross needs to recapture the barnstorming form he demonstrated in 2004 and 2005 when he played for Queensland.
Coach Watch…
At the end of December Ricky Stuart agreed to extend his contract by an additional three years, tying him to Cronulla until 2011.
Just one season in the Shire after transferring from the Roosters, it’s clear the Cronulla Board likes the direction Stuart is taking the club.
But after a year full of bad luck that culminated in the Sharks missing the top eight, greater things are expected of him and his team in 2008.
If Stuart fails to get Cronulla to the finals and challenging for their first title, his position, like any other NRL first grade coach, will come under fire.
They’re All The Better For…
The acquisition of highly-rated Kiwi rookie Karl Filiga.
Formerly known as Karl McNichol, Filiga was once labelled “the next Sonny Bill Williams”… if only by his manager.
The 19-year-old father of one, who has already played for the Junior Kiwis and New Zealand ‘A’, was pinched from under the noses of the Bulldogs by the Sharks mid-way through 2007.
Cronulla’s boss at the time, Greg Pierce, said the rumoured $600,000 over three seasons paid to lure the rookie from Belmore was well worth it.
“It is a lot of money but he is an elite player – outstanding players like this don't come along very often,'' Pierce said.
The Sharks will be hoping he reaches his potential soon. If he does, the NRL had better watch out.
Predicted Finish…
Expect Cronulla to make the top eight. From there anything is possible.
Under-20s…
The Toyota Cup under-20s competition is one place the stars of the future will ply their trade.
Cronulla’s under-20s coach, former Eels and Bulldogs star Jim Dymock, sees the potential of several of his players.
“Nathan Stapleton and Karlos [Filiga] should do well,” Dymock said. “It’s pretty exciting being part of the inaugural competition but it’s going to be pretty tough, too.”
Cronulla Sharks (head coach Ricky Stuart)
Find Out What the Coaching Staff Think:
Cronulla Sharks (head
