Cronulla Sharks are finally biting back

 

Roar Guru

By Alan Nicolea, 24 Jun 2009 Alan Nicolea is a Roar Guru

Tagged:

 Ben Ross, Brett Kearney, Cronulla Sharks, NRL, Rugby League

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Reni Maitua during the NRL Round 10, Penrith Panthers v Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks match at Penrith Stadium, Saturday, May 16, 2009. (AAP Image/Action Photographics, Renne McKay)

The word ‘turmoil‘ has been plaguing the Sharks throughout this season. But the players are starting to forget its meaning after a memorable month of on-field performances which has seen the team win four consecutive matches.

While the 2009 season started promisingly for the Sharks, with victory over the Panthers in round one, it all went down hill as key players Ben Ross and Brett Kearney were sidelined with season ending injuries.

To add salt to the wound, Sharks half Brett Seymour was later suspended for an off field misdemeanour, while captain Paul Gallen was stripped of his captaincy later in the season as a result of his alleged racist remarks to Dragons forward Mickey Paea.

Add Reni Maitua’s two year ban for taking an illegal substance, the Matthew Johns sex scandal, and Tony Zappia’s uproar against a woman, and it becomes clear why Cronulla were drowning in a season many predicted them to push for the title.

But now for some good news.

The Sharks have rebounded strongly and should be commended for their efforts. The only way for a club or an individual to negate the off field press, is to perform to the best of their abilities on the paddock.

Over the past month, the Sharks have been able to take this on board, and now find themselves off the bottom of the NRL ladder and rising.

Wins over the Parramatta Eels, New Zealand Warriors, Canberra Raiders and Brisbane Broncos currently places the Sharks on a four match winning streak that is starting to gain real momentum.

For a club that just a few weeks ago was presumably on death’s door, financially speaking, the players themselves have provided a ray of hope that is now shining brighter than the bad light that has been constantly cast upon them these past few months.

In their latest victory against an under strength Broncos team, the Sharks finally looked to be enjoying their football, as evidenced by the 46-12 score line.

One only needed to observe the hat-trick scored by Sharks winger Blake Ferguson to really smell the breath of fresh air at Cronulla.

Ferguson’s first try was also a clear indication that maybe the Sharks are still in with a chance of making the finals.

Seemingly going over the touchline, Ferguson planted the ball down in the corner with millimetres to spare, to score one of the tries of the season.

It was a moment that will no doubt erase most of the negative thoughts surrounding the Sharks this season, and replace them with a finals dream that looked forlorn barely a month ago.

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