Sorry To Bring Up The "P" Word

[gavin07]

TIME TO BELIEVE
Matthew Johns

CRONULLA Sharks supporters are understandably cautious.

I don't know any other group of rugby league fans who have had to endure so many false dawns.

On a few occasions over the years the Sharks have come painfully close to grabbing their first title only to have what seemed like destiny snatched away.

Supporters are always mindful these days not to mention the title.

No matter how good the side is going they don't mention the title. Even if the side is up 10 points on grand final day with one minute remaining, they won't mention the bloody title.

Well I'm sorry to all Cronulla supporters, but that's exactly what I'm going to do. I believe something special is starting to brew in the Shire and I think your side is in with a huge chance of becoming premiers.

During the off-season I heard reports that Ricky Stuart was installing a lot of steel into the players, with his emphasis on discipline and mental and physical toughness.

Players told me the dynamics of the place changed immediately with Stuart's arrival.

Players had to turn up to training and be mentally ready for Ricky's sessions. Defensive drills saw teammates tearing into one another at game intensity.

No tackle bags. Ricky would line up players and one at a time they would sprint full pace at a defender who would have no choice but to rip in or be embarrassed.

They told me Ricky's regimen was very hard but I don't think there would have been a lot of smiles on the players' faces.

When Ricky would have sat down late last year and assessed the under-achieving Sharks, he would have seen the size of the job at hand and realised how much he had to do to turn it around – rip in or be embarrassed.

To achieve success at anything, there is a price you must pay.

While grand final day is played in early October, it's during the months of November, December and January when the battle is often won.

The Sharks have paid their price and earned the right to be a serious contender. Their style of football is very well-structured, catering to the strengths of the key individuals.

Brett Kimmorley is getting back to his best form. During the past few years Noddy took on far too much, sometimes looking to handle the ball three or four times in an attacking set.

As a result, Brett's game became very erratic, the Sharks' style too high-risk and too sideways. Ricky's got Noddy playing with more patience.

Brett now focuses his energies on quality shots at the line and, as a result, his game and the Cronulla attack is now much straighter and far more effective.

Brett's kicking game is also back to its best. Noddy is putting the finishing touches on each set of six better than any half at the moment.

The two players who also deserve special mention are Greg Bird and Brett Kearney.

Bird has always been a talent, but has suffered from ill-discipline and a reliance on his left foot sidestep.

This year Bird's football resembles what Jason Smith and Jim Dymock were doing in the back-row during their Canterbury days, patrolling short-sides and mixing a strong running game with clever ball-playing.

Kearney is the most improved player in the competition. He is fast, skilful and fearless.

The players shouldn't be afraid to look ahead, to understand the significance of what they can achieve.

Cronulla may go on to win 20 or 30 titles, but no title will ever be as special as the first. The Shire will explode.

 

[Dr Prawn]

Makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up reading that. Where was that from?

 

[Megashark]

What a breath of fresh air to have a media commentator actually say something positive about our club. And when that person is Matty Johns then it's time for all Sharks fans to sit up and take notice, because while he may play the clown in public he has a great football brain, that is for sure. Good stuff Matty!

Where was that from?

Daily Telegraph: http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,21601266-5001023,00.html

 

[gavin07]

yeah i had to read it twice to make sure i wasnt seeing things

 

[Hammerhead]

It's a bit silly. Round five and nothing has really changed. Must be desperate for something to write. Seriously, ask yourself how many times you've read that sort of thing over the years only to be left shattered. I'll believe it when i see it.

 

[Jigsaw]

Hammerhead i know where your coming from. But **** it Its our team man its the SHARKS! who doesnt love to get excited over there team.And plus a brand new coach (well this one anyway) Feels like a brand new team almost its like starting the comp all over again. So dont think of this as 40 years we havnt won ****. think of this as The first year of Ricky stuart and anything can happen!

GO THE SHARKS!

 

[wobo]

I agree with Hammer head "Y A W N" Heard it all Before. I just hope the players are not reading it, 30-40 title for F%^k's sake I nearly threw up my breakfast.

 

[Megashark]

Hammerhead i know where your coming from.

Exactly right, a healthy dose of cynicism is part of the deal that comes with being a Sharks fan (especially us older ones! ) Still, when the names of premiership contenders are being thrown about by the media it is kind of nice, if unexpected, to see someone giving us the time of day for a change.

 

[jimmymac]

last year, mid season, we were sitting in third spot on the ladder, then some brainiac writes an article in the paper about how we could in fact, be a dark horse to win the comp. then what happened? 10 losses in a row. i know matty johns played one season as a shark, and i like to watch the guy on tv, he is a very funny man, but i also know he has a deep love for newcastle, and isn't it funny how he should write an article to put the sharks into a false sense of security, the week before we play newcastle. is he playing mind games with the sharks to give the knights an advantage? i know it is a fair conspiracy theory that i have come up with, but our boys don't need to read that s#*t at this point in the season. ricky should ban all newspaper, magazine, and tv media at all the sharks players homes, training facilities, and toyota park.

 

[grommy]

Finally a professional commentator has faith and respect for us. Someone besides us people in the forums believe that we are a force to reckon with.

 

[sharkyboy]

wats the ponit of watching NRL and being a sharks supporter if you guys dont even beleive we can win? you always have to beleive that theres a chance for any team to win the comp and where apart of it! and its good to see someone like matty to say something like that made my day so much better!

 

[Nulla Boy]

he said the same thing in rugby league week a year(or 2)ago and look wat happened.

 

[Hammerhead]

wats the ponit of watching NRL and being a sharks supporter if you guys dont even beleive we can win?

It's got nothing to do with not believing. It's just a very big and very stupid call to make after just six rounds. I hope it's comes true - but I've been hoping that way for 38 years and I've been burned every time.

Until the Sharkies deliver the goods there's no point in reading all that warm and fuzzy stuff.

 

[Dutchie1983]

I dont know why you guys dont get excited about something like this, the dude is talking up our team, if we dont get one this year other players will see what Ricky is doing by instilling a culture and these other players will want to come to the club, and may take a smaller paycheck than what other clubs are offering just to be part of something special. Stuff u who think this article is rubbish, think outside the box damn.

 

[Hammerhead]

Stuff u who think this article is rubbish, think outside the box damn.

And you are easily pleased if a few column inches makes you think we're any closer to winning a comp. We've won three, we've lost three. End of story.
What that article lacked was a good editor to temper Matty Johns' well intentioned enthusiasm.

 

[sharks195]

very good article.

 

[Sempa Fi Sharky]

Take it easy

Can everyone take it easy.

In the off season the vast majority of us just wanted the Sharks to be competitive each week like when Lang was around. Well so far they have been and that is exactly what the coach expects of them.

So sit back and relax, what will be will be. As long as they try hard and are competiive each wek, we can't ask any more.

 

[db72]

I love the article...and god we are all thinking it!!! But I have to agree with Jimmymac.... I remember the article last year - and there was another claiming Luke Douglas as the next Shane Webke. OUr whole season exploded after that!!!! I would hope that Ricky is better prepared to keep the players on the ground.

 

[Megashark]

I remember the article last year - and there was another claiming Luke Douglas as the next Shane Webke.

A big call maybe db; but I have seen nothing so far to make me think this won't eventuate, Dougie has carried on his awesome form from last season and I am sure the rep selectors will have his name foremost in their minds.

 

[Dutchie1983]

And you are easily pleased if a few column inches makes you think we're any closer to winning a comp. We've won three, we've lost three. End of story.
What that article lacked was a good editor to temper Matty Johns' well intentioned enthusiasm.

Mate,
Im not easily pleased, but I would rather be hearing this sort of thing from the media instead of what I hear here in Canberra about the Raiders. Like to hear about my team's potential than how short priced they are to win the wooden spoon.