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For all the Sharks fans out there it will be a relief to say hello to 2015. After the tumultuous 2014 season the Sharks endured, they can finally start again.
They can take great satisfaction out of the way they played at the Auckland Nines, and maybe just maybe the porch light will be turned off.
The Sharks this year possess a potentially lethal backline, which is not something you would normally associate with Cronulla. With the emergence of young up-and-comers like Valentine Holmes and Jack Bird, the Sharks will have speed, size and talent out wide.
They have had an unusually strong recruitment drive which saw the likes of Ben Barba, Gerard Beale, Chase Stanley and Bird arrive at the Shire. With Barba and Jeff Robson combining well for a short but successful stint in the trial against Manly, there are signs that these two are creating a strong combination and understanding of each other’s game.
Adding in the the strong support play and high ball security provided by Michael Gordon, the Sharks backline might just start providing some defensive headaches for opposition this year.
The real test, however, will come when the season actually begins.
The forward pack of Cronulla is one of the biggest and most mobile packs in the league, and providing they stay injury free it could be a big year for them. With Paul Gallen and Luke Lewis nearing the ends of their careers surely they will be more determined than ever to go out on a bang and deliver a long overdue premiership to the Shire.
Wade Graham is the one I suggest people keep a close eye on in 2015. With his increased leadership role within the club, he has matured into a much more stable and productive player in the side. I don’t think anyone doubts his talent and ability but I think he could be a smokey for the Blues come State of Origin time and he thoroughly deserves a run for the Blues.
This season might be a stretch too far for the Sharks winning the competition but 2016 could well prove to be the year the drought is broken and Harold Holt returns home.
The Sharks will shake off the shackles of 2014 and provide their fans with a memorable season. The top eight should be their main goal and it should provide a rather achievable goal. With the new recruits, the dramas being over and Shane Flanagan back at the helm, they might just be the dark horses and do what Penrith did last year and shock the league.
Well, we can all dream at least.
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