Sharks Paul Gallen Speaks
Cronulla Sharks
Sharks Paul Gallen SpeaksCronulla SharksMissing the finals meant an early 2009 exit for the
Cronulla Sharks and with the boys back in training ahead of their first 2010 trial game in February
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Sharks Paul Gallen Speaks
13 January 2010
Missing the finals meant an early 2009 exit for the Cronulla Sharks and with the boys back in training ahead of their first 2010 trial game in February they’ll be looking to produce some quality football.
The Sharks have lost 14 players since last season but after some aggressive off-season recruiting, a hard-hitting training schedule and a rich vein of enthusiasm they’ll be looking to have a very successful year. And although they may start the year as underdogs, under the regime of coach Ricky Stuart, they’ll never give in.
“Well hopefully it works the other way. We were tipped to finish at the top and we finished at the bottom, this year we are tipped to finish last so hopefully we can finish first… Well that’s the way I’m looking at it,” captain Trent Barrett smirked.
“There’s no pressure, we just have to rip in and we’ve got Melbourne first up so there’s no better way to start the year with a good challenge.”
Click here to see and exclusive interview with Paul Gallen.
Of course finishing 15th last season wasn’t ideal for the Sharks, but it’s not all doom and gloom for the club, so determined are the playing group and passionate the supporters that this mob can pick themselves up and settle for nothing less than a return to finals football in 2010.
“It can only get better. A lot of things that happened last year were out of our control with things away from footy. It didn’t really worry us but we stuck together and we have great coaching staff who were exceptional,” Barrett said.
“We’ve made some changes in the front office and from the outside looking in it's going really well and looking very professional. All we can do is play our best footy and stay determined no matter what.”
New recruits Albert Kelly, Broderick Wright, Nathans Gardner, Taulima Tautai (Eels), Stuart Flanagan (Raiders), Adam Cuthbertson (Manly), Dean Collis, John Morris (Wests Tigers), Paul Aiton (Panthers) and Siosaia Vave (Titains) are all bursting with talent and ready to press their claim to fill the void of the departing players.
pre season
“We’re a bit luckier this year with quite a number of players able to play in different positions,” Barrett said.
“So we have some options there to work with and form a few combination's and having the trials will only help that cause.”
“It’s been enjoyable. It’s always good for an older player to have young faces around and to see them doing well and their enthusiasm around the place makes it much more exciting.”
“Plus the way they can move in the morning is a little different to how we move in the morning.”
Whilst a majority of the boys were back training before the Christmas break, Paul Gallen returned for the first time ahead of the 2010 season. Towards the back end of last year the international back rower represented Australia in the successful Four Nations Tournament and then enjoyed a well-deserved break.
“Having Paul back is great. He is a very valuable member of our club and it’s good that the unfortunate stuff happened last year and we can now concentrate on moving forward,” Barrett said.
“It was a tough year, we had some injuries here and there but that’s a part of the game. I think the whole team needs a little bit of luck and not just me.”
“Well we’re due for some, so hopefully some can come our way.”
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Click here to see the Sharks 2010 Trial Games.
