Sharks on up-and-up
BY BRAD FORREST
25 Oct, 2011 04:00 AM
http://www.theleader.com.au
CRONULLA Sharks’ ‘‘punt’’ on adding Todd Carney to their 2012 NRL roster has already paid off — even before the player has signed.The club yesterday reported a
25 per cent increase in new memberships, a day before the Sharks’ new membership brochure had been sent out.
They are privately confident plans for their $300 million retail and property development will be approved by the state government next year, following changes made after months of consultation with various community groups.
And Sharks’ commercial general manager Peter Beaumont said the new membership interest so early in an off-season had developed for a number of reasons.
‘‘We have a good roster of new players already announced, and captain Paul Gallen’s signing for life was a definite spike for both renewals and new members,’’ he said.
‘‘The Members Jersey continues to be a growing success with 20 per cent of all members having ordered the jersey with their name appearing alongside players, staff and all other members.
‘‘Plus, fans realise they will see 12 home games at Toyota Stadium next year [the Sharks have abandoned the Taupo, New Zealand experiment of last season where they played the Warriors at Taupo].’’
Now, Sharks management expect another ‘‘spike’’ of new memberships once the agreement with the brilliant but wayward league star Todd Carney is signed off, later this week. Carney and his manager David Riolo are first expected to meet with NRL chief executive David Gallop, before a two-year deal is done.
Beaumont said the Sharks ‘‘greater player depth’’ had also interested new members.
The loss of props Luke Douglas (Titans) and Kade Snowden (Knights) should be covered by the acquisition of Wests Tigers pair Bryce Gibbs and Andrew Fifita, and ‘‘comeback-kid’’ Ben Ross, backed up by Jon Green (from Dragons) and Mark Taufua (from Knights), while Isaac De Gois’s return from Newcastle at hooker should add spark up the middle.
If Carney and new buy Jeff Robson (Parramatta) are the Sharks’ starting halves, then talented young players like Albert Kelly and Wade Graham will vie for a spot in the centres — a troublesome spot for several years at the Sharks — along with veterans Colin Best and Ben Pomeroy and youngsters Stewart Mills, Ricky Leutele and Matt Wright.
Cronulla has also extended the contract of goal kicking winger John Williams, 26, who impressed in his first season after leaving the Cowboys before an unfortunate leg injury in the middle of the season prevented him playing more than 13 games.
