Watching the Raiders take on the Bulldogs – and Belmore – in Round 5, it felt like the Green Machine might really have a shot at the finals this season.
Not only was Canberra’s defence impeccable, but Jarrod Croker put in the most decisive performance of any NRL captain this season, scoring all but four of the Raiders’ 22 points.
Fast forward two weeks and the showdown at Belmore seems like a distant memory. After being smashed by a Parra outfit keen to put down every try before competition points are docked, the Raiders have now been put to shame on home soil.
It didn’t help that this was also Ricky Stuart’s 300th game as coach.
In true spirit, Sticky let fly after the match, claiming that only five Raiders players were up to scratch, but refusing to name just who he had in mind.
Along with Madge’s towel over the change room camera during the Rabbitohs’ clash against the Roosters a couple of weeks ago, it was probably the single most dramatic expression of frustration from a coach this season.
To Sticky’s credit, while he may be irascible he never looks for excuses.
It was a testament to his sportsmanship that he refused to blame the Bunker, despite the fact that Canberra probably should have received a penalty before both of Cronulla’s tries in the first half.
While you could analyse the Green Machine’s loss from a variety of angles, it all came down to defence, with the big enforcers nowhere to be found.
In particular, Sio Soliola was sorely missed. His broken arm was the one really low point against the Bulldogs and has haunted the Raiders’ forward pack ever since.
With Blake Austin out as well, pressure fell upon Jordan Rapana and Joey Leilua to carry the Canberra side, with the winger bringing in a try in the 58th minute. While both players shone, there’s a bit of a lopsided feel when your strongest moments are coming from the edge of the field.
After such a sterling show against the Dogs, Croker also felt a bit diminished, with Jack Bird ploughing straight through him for the Sharks’ second try in the 19th minute.
On the other side of the Steeden, Ben Barba continues to return to form, scoring tries in the 10th and 47th minutes.
Rallying the Sharks at the beginning of each stanza, his trademark acceleration was on point and really helped maintain momentum at the few moments when Cronulla lagged.
In a great article this week, Tim Gore celebrated the knack Michael Ennis has for sailing as close to the line as possible without touching it.
Since moving to Cronulla, I’ve also noticed a new slyness to Ennis’ game – he’s just as controversial as he ever was, but seems to be quieter about it as well. Maybe it comes down to a culture difference between the Dogs and the Sharks.
Last night, that quietness and deftness was on display in a beautiful kick to Barba for his first try of the evening.
Still, the night belonged to James Maloney, who put in his best case for Blues five-eighth to date.
Syncing elegantly with Chad Townsend, the only try he didn’t convert was his own, although you can’t hold that against anyone who brings down a four-pointer in the last minute of play.
At this stage in the game, I’m still not sure what to think of Jack Bird.
In a year in which fresh faces and young guns have really come into their own, it feels as if Bird is yet to find his voice and perhaps even his preferred position.
Despite planting a try in the nineteenth minute, he still doesn’t seem to be showing us everything he’s capable of achieving on the footy field.
While the Sharks’ win over the Storm in Round 4 was epic, I’m wondering if last night was the most decisive Cronulla victory this season.
Canberra didn’t even score until thirteen minutes into the second half.
Sure, they may have narrowed the margin to 24-10 in a couple of minutes, but that just provided Cronulla with an opportunity to prove why their defence was superior. By Valentine Holmes’ try in the 62nd minute, it felt as if the boys from Sydney’s other insular peninsular were back on track.
From then on, it felt like the game was playing out at Shark Park, with not even a try from Aiden Sezer at the 71st minute managing to rally the ailing Canberra crowd into a display of real enthusiasm.
As Round 8 starts, the Sharks are now third on the ladder, ahead of the Eels, with only last year’s grand finalists ahead of them.
While Cronulla have been gaining in strength for a long time, they still feel like an underdog team, so there’s something galvanising about seeing them share a top-four spot with the Eels.
They might not have it for long though. High off their victory over the Roosters, the Panthers are going to want to maintain their momentum when they rock up at Southern Cross this weekend.
Similarly, the Tigers are going to be even more desperate than the Raiders to break a losing streak.
All things considered, then, Cronulla and Canberra are heading into two of the most evenly matched – or at least unpredictable – games of footy in Round 8. How they turn out will ensure that last Sunday’s match is either a blip or a turning-point in the wider NRL season.
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