Round 1 2014: Cronulla Sutherland Sharks v Gold Coast Titans, Monday 10 March 7:00pm @ Remondis Stadium

[deano the p]

Titans are underrated, were last year aswell. Their pack is as good as ours with the injuries we have and if Todd's out they have better halves but we have the better outside backs with idris not there.

:lmao

Zillman, Gordon, Mead, Tighe, Blair, Don, Faifai Loa and Takairangi >>>>> Gordon, Feki, Ryan, Leutele, Ayshford, Wright, Stapo and Grothe.

 

[stevie013]

we will beat the titans. by 16 points.

 

[josh11223344]

Their wingers over ours, that's it.

Leutele if in our centres and our fullback are better than what they have in those positions.

 

[DruNkDazZ]

What, I think ya'll need to check your supportive roots!! NO Team, NO player, is better than anyone or thing wearing Black, White & Blue

#SHARKNATION

 

[deano the p]

Any one of Gordon, Mead, Blair and KFFL (maybe Tighe depending on what Brad Tighe shows up haha) would walk into our side.

I personally think they should be using Mead in the centres or at fulback this year.

Gordon and maybe Ryan would walk into theirs that's it.

 

[hamsy44]

I only wouldn't take zillman Gordon is a far better fullback but otherwise if they are interested in a swap.....

 

[deano the p]

I only wouldn't take zillman Gordon is a far better fullback but otherwise if they are interested in a swap.....

I'm with you there, especially if they play Mead in the centres and Tighe misses out.

 

[josh11223344]

tighe and blair are average and have no room to improve. Leutele and ayshford are on par if not slightly better already and have plenty of time to improve.

Their wingers on a whole are better and have plenty of improvement although on last years form they aren't that much better than beau if at all.

Gordon ****s on zillman, don't know how it can be argued that they're better than us anywhere but wing.

 

[deano the p]

Blair > Ayshford and Wright (who will be our round one centres I imagine) about equal to Leutele
Mead > Ayshford, Wright and Leutele
Tighe > Ayshford and Wright worse than Leutele

If they pick the right side they are stronger in 3 of the 5 back positions equal in one and worse in one.

 

[HaroldBishop]

tighe and blair are average and have no room to improve. Leutele and ayshford are on par if not slightly better already and have plenty of time to improve.

Their wingers on a whole are better and have plenty of improvement although on last years form they aren't that much better than beau if at all.

Gordon ****s on zillman, don't know how it can be argued that they're better than us anywhere but wing.

Flash is better than Zillman, I wouldn't say he ****s on him though, that's a bit of an exaggeration.

It's not just a case of who's better, but by what margin. Their two wingers are miles in front of ours imo, miles. As far as the centres go, apart from Leutele we've got nothing and it wouldn't surprise me to see him playing reggies in round 1.

 

[CrazyMatt]

I think we'll win in a typically tough, dirty, low scoring Cronulla game. 12-10 to us.

 

[SHARKSTER]

If all goes to the usual Sharks script, we will be Cronullafied!

 

[snowman]

If all goes to the usual Sharks script, we will be Cronullafied!

#BornWithIt

 

[egg]

Cronulla veteran John Morris may return to the halves for season-opener


Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...easonopener-20140227-33krl.html#ixzz2uZMcbTYN

Veteran Cronulla utility John Morris is set to wind back the clock as he prepares to switch to the halves in the absence of Cronulla's regular scrum-base combination of Jeff Robson and Todd Carney.

Off-season recruit Daniel Holdsworth is almost certain to play his first NRL game since 2009 in place of Robson, who will miss at least the first month of the season after fracturing his jaw, cheekbone and eye socket in Cronulla's 28-22 trial loss to Wests Tigers last Saturday.

The Sharks are still sweating on the fitness of Carney's hamstring and while their star pivot is expected to line up against the Titans, he is no certainty. His absence at training has caused Morris to revert to the halves.

Advertisement Wade Graham is the other option for coach Peter Sharp but with Luke Lewis and Anthony Tupou out of round one and Chris Heighington in doubt, Cronulla's back row would be severely weakened if Graham was switched. Rookie half Penani Manumalealii is also injured.

Morris, who hasn't started in the halves since 2010, said he was ready if needed.

“It's been a while,” Morris said. “I don't know if it will happen or not. I've got that versatility and if I'm the best person for the job I'm happy to do it. DJ [Holdsworth] has been a great acquisition.

“Wade can play there and played a bit there on the weekend, I filled in there. We are hopeful Toddy can play but Sharpy has a few options.”

A move away for Morris from his regular dummy-half position would open up a spot for Cronulla junior Michael Lichaa to make his debut, where he would share the hooking duties with Isaac De Gois.

Morris said the former Junior Kangaroo would handle the NRL.

“He has been a highly rated junior coming through,” Morris said. “I'm sure they'll probably give Lich a start there. He is ready and he wouldn't let anyone down.”

Morris' return to the training paddock was delayed after a routine arthroscopy on his left elbow became infected. He lost up to eight kilograms before Christmas and has maintained a high dose of antibiotics as he fights the infection.

He made a successful return to the field in Cronulla's trial loss last Saturday.

“I didn't know how serious it could be,” Morris said. “I picked it up in hospital. It's always the risk of surgery. You never think it's going to happen to you but speaking to people now it's more common than you think. Thankfully I'm fully recovered now.

“I had plenty of work to do in the gym to put the weight back on. It's been a different pre-season.

“I didn't miss too much training after Christmas where you do a lot more footy-based stuff; I hardly missed any of that.”

Morris, 34 this year, is heading into his 14th season in the top grade. He needs 11 games to reach the 300-match mark.

“I am approaching this season like it's not my last year,” Morris said. “I think that's the best way to do it. The last two years I've had 12-month contracts, and just thrown all my effort into that year. I just want to rip in the early in the year so I can dictate the decision.”



Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...easonopener-20140227-33krl.html#ixzz2uZLHbcxx

 

[stevie013]

geezus. morris at 6 or 7?? please god no. he is bad enough now at 9.

id rather them throw nu brown in there for some experience.

 

[evertonshark]

geezus. morris at 6 or 7?? please god no. he is bad enough now at 9.

id rather them throw nu brown in there for some experience.

Like you've already said today stevie. This is Cronulla..

 

[HaroldBishop]

geezus. morris at 6 or 7?? please god no. he is bad enough now at 9.

id rather them throw nu brown in there for some experience.

And better at 9 than IDG. Scary how bad we are in that position.

 

[stevie013]

Like you've already said today stevie. This is Cronulla..

And better at 9 than IDG. Scary how bad we are in that position.

doesnt give much excitment for the start of the season does it (the membership team has dampened my enthusiasm for the start of the year again).

sharp is in a unique position here. he is under no pressure whatsoever, why not throw some young guys in. if it works, he is a hero, if it doesnt, oh, well. at least he tried. he wont get hung and lose his job over it.

 

[HaroldBishop]

sharp is in a unique position here. he is under no pressure whatsoever, why not throw some young guys in. if it works, he is a hero, if it doesnt, oh, well. at least he tried. he wont get hung and lose his job over it.

Agree but he doesn't strike me as the inventive type. Can't see it happening unfortunately, expect more of the same.

 

[deano the p]

I'd prefer Graham to play in the halves to Morris.

If all three of Tupou, Lewis and Heighinton are out go with:

8 Gibbs
10 Fifita
11 Taga
12 Prior
13 Gallen

14 Sopoaga
15 Roqica/Arona/Vave/Robinson/D.Fifita
16 Roqica/Arona/Vave/Robinson/D.Fifita