Round 22: NZ warriors vs Cronulla Sharks Sun 10 Aug 2:00 PM @ Mt Smart Stadium.

[Sutty]

Despite all the players missing, I thought it was quite a high quality game on both sides (Especially compared to that piss-weak Parra vs Canberra game last night). Boys did very well. I will go as far as to say that I thought Matt Prior was close to best on ground, made over 100 metres, was rarely (if ever) taken to the ground, always drew multiple defenders and made 4 very solid offloads to advantage... plus his hair again was top-notch. A gumbie second rower/centre, but hasn't looked too bad at prop here and against the panthers.

Hopefully we haven't picked up any other injuries, apart from Fifita who snapped some bones in his arm and is goneskies for the season. We've got Tupou and Gallen as possibilities to return next week, so I'd assume Roqica would be the other one to drop out of the 17. We'd surely be able to apply for exemption for the 2nd tier salary cap, to allow Mexico a game in top grade if needed (Not sure if he's been in good recent form or not, but have been impressed by his work-rate in past games I've seen). Also not sure if David Fifita will be back this season, or if he's had surgery?

 

[Dylan the villain]

7 but played half back??????

Haha of course!

 

[Dylan the villain]

7 but played half back??????

Haha of course!

 

[endevour shark]

Despite all the players missing, I thought it was quite a high quality game on both sides (Especially compared to that piss-weak Parra vs Canberra game last night). Boys did very well. I will go as far as to say that I thought Matt Prior was close to best on ground, made over 100 metres, was rarely (if ever) taken to the ground, always drew multiple defenders and made 4 very solid offloads to advantage... plus his hair again was top-notch. A gumbie second rower/centre, but hasn't looked too bad at prop here and against the panthers.

Prior really stood up when we needed him lets hope he can maintain the same strength and intensity... Would also love to see how the Mexican can go in top grade

Anderre Anderee Si Si Cisco What you thin eh.

 

[SharksMichael]

It hurt to lose today but for some reason, it felt like we won. Shame we couldn't go in front. Our defence was amazing, especially in the first half. We need to be as good as that for the rest of the year.

 

[Sir Chadley]

Watched the game today, all for the last ten minutes. Wife comes home from doing the grocery shopping and getting that out of the car takes precedence over a Sharks game.

I've read all the comments on this thread and others and as usual there are passionate arguments and helpful advice from people on what certain players should do. Truly some of the name calling of some players borders on the childish.

Anyway, because of my missing the last ten minutes, I did miss the Politoni no pass to Gordon. I've replayed it several times and you could mount a case for him passing it and you could maybe mount a case for him not passing it. What you have to remember is that Politoni is inexperienced and maybe he should have done better but who's to say what would have happened. Forced to give an opinion, I'd say he should have passed it, but none of us were in that situation and it's a little unfair to judge.

Defensively the Sharks stood up today. I loved how they repelled the Warriors and worked hard for each other.
Brown was great, starting to show some promise.
Prior continues to impress me, hopefully he stays at prop.

Players who I thought weren't at their best today was Robinson, Taga and Roqica

The ball Holmes couldn't pick up from the kick through was pretty hard I thought and he had a Warriors player make it even harder. Only his second game, still looks the goods.

Travel to Melbourne next week, if we play with the same purpose and intensity we will be in it again.

 

[A.Snowden]

Watched the game today, all for the last ten minutes. Wife comes home from doing the grocery shopping and getting that out of the car takes precedence over a Sharks game.

I've read all the comments on this thread and others and as usual there are passionate arguments and helpful advice from people on what certain players should do. Truly some of the name calling of some players borders on the childish.

Anyway, because of my missing the last ten minutes, I did miss the Politoni no pass to Gordon. I've replayed it several times and you could mount a case for him passing it and you could maybe mount a case for him not passing it. What you have to remember is that Politoni is inexperienced and maybe he should have done better but who's to say what would have happened. Forced to give an opinion, I'd say he should have passed it, but none of us were in that situation and it's a little unfair to judge.

Defensively the Sharks stood up today. I loved how they repelled the Warriors and worked hard for each other.
Brown was great, starting to show some promise.
Prior continues to impress me, hopefully he stays at prop.

Players who I thought weren't at their best today was Robinson, Taga and Roqica

The ball Holmes couldn't pick up from the kick through was pretty hard I thought and he had a Warriors player make it even harder. Only his second game, still looks the goods.

Travel to Melbourne next week, if we play with the same purpose and intensity we will be in it again.

I hate this argument. players aren't inexperienced. Thats something you do from under 7's onward. It's not like these players come into grade with no rugby league experience.

 

[Bigberm]

Both mate, first try Ricky slipped off while Feki back pedaled , second try they got on outside of Feki

Yeah fair call, just didn't know if you had em confused with that first try. They're really at communicating on that left hand side defense.

Wade graham leaves a big hole there too so communication yep not great, gota give kudos to set attack move I suppose. Still should number up

 

[evertonshark]

I hate this argument. players aren't inexperienced. Thats something you do from under 7's onward. It's not like these players come into grade with no rugby league experience.

True, should have been a simple draw and pass. Though this club seems incapable of this.

 

[Sir Chadley]

I hate this argument. players aren't inexperienced. Thats something you do from under 7's onward. It's not like these players come into grade with no rugby league experience.

Understand what you're saying but many people have said that NRL is a huge step up from any grade. Even the simple things take some time to perfect.

 

[Sir Chadley]

True, should have been a simple draw and pass. Though this club seems incapable of this.

Yep, we are coached very badly but it obviously wasn't a simple draw and pass as it didn't happen.

 

[evertonshark]

Yep, we are coached very badly but it obviously wasn't a simple draw and pass as it didn't happen.

That's why I said should have been

 

[sharkyboy]

Watched the game today, all for the last ten minutes. Wife comes home from doing the grocery shopping and getting that out of the car takes precedence over a Sharks game.

I've read all the comments on this thread and others and as usual there are passionate arguments and helpful advice from people on what certain players should do. Truly some of the name calling of some players borders on the childish.

Anyway, because of my missing the last ten minutes, I did miss the Politoni no pass to Gordon. I've replayed it several times and you could mount a case for him passing it and you could maybe mount a case for him not passing it. What you have to remember is that Politoni is inexperienced and maybe he should have done better but who's to say what would have happened. Forced to give an opinion, I'd say he should have passed it, but none of us were in that situation and it's a little unfair to judge.

Defensively the Sharks stood up today. I loved how they repelled the Warriors and worked hard for each other.
Brown was great, starting to show some promise.
Prior continues to impress me, hopefully he stays at prop.

Players who I thought weren't at their best today was Robinson, Taga and Roqica

The ball Holmes couldn't pick up from the kick through was pretty hard I thought and he had a Warriors player make it even harder. Only his second game, still looks the goods.

Travel to Melbourne next week, if we play with the same purpose and intensity we will be in it again.

You're coming to melbourne?

 

[Sir Chadley]

You're coming to melbourne?

Ha ha, would love to but sadly, no.

 

[Sparkles]

It was a great effort by the entire team, but we can't ignore Fifita's incredibly unprofessional, lazy and downright amateur efforts in giving away so many penalties. His constant complaining and flopping on defenders is an infuriating trend throughout his career, and was in full swing yesterday. Do you out it down to coaching? Attitude? Lack of ability to learn the fundamentals ( perhaps because he dominates so much physically)?

If he ever expects to represent again,he has to get that out of his game. And I wish he had the self discipline to do it himself.

 

[bluey]

It was great to see 3/4 get some balls although Mickey stopped a lot getting to the wings

 

[Western Sharkie]

It was a great effort by the entire team, but we can't ignore Fifita's incredibly unprofessional, lazy and downright amateur efforts in giving away so many penalties. His constant complaining and flopping on defenders is an infuriating trend throughout his career, and was in full swing yesterday. Do you out it down to coaching? Attitude? Lack of ability to learn the fundamentals ( perhaps because he dominates so much physically)?

If he ever expects to represent again,he has to get that out of his game. And I wish he had the self discipline to do it himself.

Trying too hard!
That's Gals biggest issue. He sometimes tries toooo hard and gets in the way or "over plays" to try to get an advantage somehow but sometimes just doesn't pay off. I think Fifi might be the same at times.

 

[goodbyepenrithhellosharks]

While I was disappointed we lost, I was very proud of our boys and thought they nutted up and had a crack.
It would be very easy to rollover and say our season is over, injuries ASADA blah blah
But they turned up to play and were one try or pass away from winning
ON YA LADS

 

[sup42]

I thought the Sharks were outstanding yesterday. Not interested in blowing smoke up anyones......it's just the way it was.

That was one of the better scrambling defensive goal line efforts of the year.

Those Refs need to be sacked....Sam Tomkins knock on ruling was from the home team twilight zone as was Chads play at the kick that was ruled 'not played at'.

No real fan wants that sort of incompetence, next week it's your mob coping it at someone else's ground.

Cronulla played with pride. I knew they would trouble the Warriors, even after that first half....all they did was play tough and that put the Warriors right off their game.

Politini looked to blow the match, but Tomkins backing off put him in two minds for that half second where he got fooled into shaping to pass and trying to step Tomkins. There is that cliche where players sometimes are not better off if they are presented with too many options....looked like he got trapped thinking about three things at once ( clearly plan A) was to draw the fullback then pass )

He should have passed to Gordon, he had a runner on the inside.....he had a retreating defender in front of him.

Play like that every week and the the team would be up there.

Sounds hollow but still....the Sharks will come away from that with their heads held high while the Warriors go into a week of soul searching...their probably isn't a better say to leave your opposition if you don't get the points on the scoreboard.

 

[1990 sharkie]

I was away at perisher and missed this game . Can a few of you guys tell me who you reckon were our best and who wasn't that great?