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Without wanting to get the hopes of Cronulla’s loyal fans up, the Sharks are third on the ladder – that is higher than any other NSW team.
The only thing splitting the Cowboys and Sharks is points difference.
Let’s rewind back to 2014 when the club was embroiled with problems both on the field and off it, with issues like the ASADA investigation and Todd Carney’s famous “bubbling” incident. There were many more incidents but the club is moving on and so they should because since then everything has been on the up for Cronulla.
2015 was a year of rebuilding – the Sharks were back to prove a point. They were able to finish in the top eight, a whisker away from the top-four, and got close to a grand-final appearance.
There was another problem, though; the Sharks weren’t able to score many points. They were winning – they beat many of the top eight sides – and scored some memorable tries, but just not many of them.
Another issue was Ben Barba, and whether he was ever going to find his 2012 form. 2015 was not his best year but there glimpses in different games of the old Barba.
There was plenty to smile about, though. The biggest positive was finding Jack Bird, Valentine Holmes and Michael Ennis. Yes, Ennis the thirty-two-year-old veteran. Ennis was superb – he had Cronulla’s most try assists and he also added a running game out of dummy half.
Before 2016 begun, coach Shane Flannagan had to make a huge call on who will start the season at number one for Cronulla, and how to fit all three of Barba, Bird and Holmes in one team. Bird started the pre-season fixtures against Manly and Tigers at fullback, with Barba and Holmes getting the odd spell there.
Now in the season proper, and Barba has been handed back his one jersey and taken his chance with both hands. Bird is in the centres with Holmes partnering him on the wing.
Cronulla has also acquired two new halves in James Maloney and Chad Townsend.
With a backline of Barba, Holmes, Bird, Ricky Leutele, Sosaia Feki, Maloney and Townsend, the Sharks’ low-scoring problem seems to be over. Every player in Cronulla’s backline has crossed the line, none more than Barba.
Barba has crossed for six tries this season, but he’s not the only threat. Holmes is proving a handful with seven line breaks, and Bird has been causing havoc not only on the edge but also down the middle of the park. Let’s not forget the very underrated Leutele and Feki, who have been very consistent for Cronulla.
With the back-line sparkling, the forward pack has been just as good, if not better. Andrew Fifita is finding form, Paul Gallen is as much of a workhorse as ever.
Luke Lewis has done well guiding Bird and Holmes on the edge as well as holding his own, Wade Graham has been consistent – it’s only a matter of time until he gets a rep call-up – Matt Prior is slowly becoming an enforcer, and Ennis, well, is being Ennis.
Cronulla have won five of their seven games this season, with four on the trot. They have routed the Dragons and Raiders, shown good signs in their closer games and even their losses. Cronulla may not have won a premiership yet, but the fans of the Shire club are singing loud with confidence and for good reason. There is a premiership coming soon.
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