Just what was the situation with the Cronulla Sharks in 2002, the year the Matthew Johns group sex scandal actually happened? Well, in the lead-up to the first qualifying final against the Roosters at the SFS, Matthew Johns was not named in the side but was still a chance to play.
The Sharks team for the match against the Roosters (1-17) included David Peachey, Matthew Rieck, Chris Mckenna, Paul Franze, Paul Mellor, Jye Mullane, Brett Kimmorley, Jason Stevens, Dean Treister, Chris Beattie, Matt Bickerstaff, Phil Bailey and Nick Graham, The bench consisted of Danny Nutley, Dean Bosnich, Karl Lovell and Patrick Gibson. (Source from the Daily Telegraph, 2002)
In the preliminary final against the New Zealand Warriors at Telstra Stadium, The Sharks side (1-17) included David Peachey, Matthew Rieck, Chris Mckenna, Paul Franze, Paul Mellor, Greg Bird, Brett Kimmorley, Jason Stevens, Dean Treister, Chris Beattie, Matt Bickerstaff, Phil Bailey, Nick Graham. The Bench included Danny Nutley, Paul Gallen, Dean Bosnich and Karl Lovell.
In terms of the Sharks overall performance in 2002, they went on a 11 match winning streak which was ended with a loss to the Roosters in the last round to finish fifth on the NRL ladder.
In the finals, The Sharks lost the qualifying final against the Roosters, then beat the Dragons in the semi-finals to progress to the Grand Final qualifier, where they lost to the New Zealand Warriors.
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