What is there to say about the 2010 Cronulla Sharks? The poor boys from the Shire struggled through another nightmare of a season. After a 2009 season full of turmoil on and off the field, the Sharkies assembled the sort of team that could have surprised in 2010.

Gone was fan favourite Greg Bird and halfback Brett Seymour, but they strengthened their dummy-half ranks with Tigers’ utility John Morris and the Panthers’ Paul Aiton. They also acquired a handful of talent from the Parramatta Eels, including highly touted young prospect Albert Kelly.

Smitten with Smith

Unfortunately for Sharkies fans, their optimism was cut short relatively early with their team losing their first three matches. They were able to snare ex-Parramatta halfback Tim Smith just in time for their round four clash with, interestingly enough, the Eels. Smith provided a great individual performance on his debut against his old club leading his team to a surprising 11-0 victory.

After acquiring Smith, it seemed as though the Sharks could potentially turn things around and make a run for the top eight. At the halfway point in Round 13, the Sharkies put in their best performance of the season, in a seven tries to three demolition of eventual grand finalists, Sydney Roosters, winning the match 42-18. After having their second bye in Round 14, Cronulla sat only four points outside the top eight but needed a solid second half of the season to claim a finals spot.

A ‘Sticky’ situation

The Sharks started the second half of the season terribly which included a season-high six-game losing streak. It was at this time that their coach Ricky Stuart would step down from his position after a disappointing 30-point home loss to Manly Sea Eagles.

Assistant coach, Shane Flanagan took over the reins but unfortunately he could only manage two wins in the last seven matches.

Cronulla only managed seven wins in total for the season, finishing above the Storm and Cowboys in 14th. Their attack was the worst in the league… again. The Sharks’ points total of 354 was the lowest of the decade for any team.

The season wasn’t all bad news though. They managed to defeat both 2009 grand finalists Parramatta and 2010 finalists Sydney Roosters twice and managed to put 30 points on top-eight team the Gold Coast Titans in their season home finale.

Changing of the Gardner

Apart from upsetting some quality opposition, there wasn’t much to talk about for the Sharkies but the emergence of some quality players should make coach Shane Flanagan excited for his first full season in control of the club.

Parramatta signing Nathan Gardner came on the scene debuting in Round 10, and was one of their best throughout the season. Gardner scored a team-high eight tries including two try of the year candidates against the Roosters and Panthers (Round 26 – see below)

The Sharkies lost two of their veterans for 2011 with the retirement of Luke Covell (the highest point scorer for the Sharks whose last name isn’t Rogers), and captain Trent Barrett. Covell finished third in points for the club amassing 948 in a six-year stint at the club. His 55 tries for the Sharks puts him at seventh on the all-time list.

Barrett played in all 22 games that he was eligible for and led by example. He was selected to play five-eighth for the New South Wales side in Games two and three, in the latter captaining the side. After debuting for the Illawarra Steelers in 1996, Barrett has had a stellar career playing 234 games and scoring 82 tries. It’s unfortunate he couldn’t obtain that elusive NRL premiership.

The Sharks also lost talented outside back Blake Ferguson to the Raiders, and back-rower Grant Millington to the Bulldogs.

They acquired some good talent for 2011 in premiership backrower Jeremy Smith, who was squeezed out by salary cap constraints at the Dragons; Wolfman’s older brother John Williams from the Cowboys, talented five-eighth Wade Graham from the Panthers and the return prodigal son Colin Best. The 32-year-old Engadine junior is back with his junior club after an eight year hiatus with Hull, St. George-Illawarra, Canberra and Souths looking to finish his career in the Shire.

Depth Chart

Props

Starters: Kade Snowden and Luke Douglas
Depth: Siosaia Vave, Josh Cordoba, John Mannah, and Andrew Clayton

Kade Snowden and Luke Douglas went from strength-to-strength in 2010. Both played consistently well for the Sharks and both were rewarded for their play with Snowden being selected in the run-on side and Douglas the 18th man for New South Wales in Game Three of Origin.

Both were selected in the Australian Prime Minister’s XI team to play Papua New Guinea at season’s end. Both big men are relatively young and are hard working and versatile. Douglas was only one of two Sharkies to play in all 24 games. The 24-year-old clocked up 1274 minutes on the park, in which he made 312 runs and got through 729 tackles (First in the NRL amongst props).

Siosaia Vave can hit the ball up with authority and looks poised for a breakout year. He is yet to play under Flanagan after missing the last seven games of the season.

Hooker

Starter: John Morris
Depth: Paul Aiton and Stuart Flanagan

The rotation of Morris and Aiton can be quite effective for the Sharkies. Morris provides a decent kicking game and can tackle all day. Aiton has good discipline and is dangerous running the ball in the opposition red zone. In the off-season, Aiton captained the Papua New Guinea side in the Four Nations. When on the park, he will need to display those leadership qualities with the loss of last year’s captain, Trent Barrett.

Second Rowers

Starters: Anthony Tupou and Jeremy Smith
Depth: Taulima Tautai, Broderick Wright and Jayson Bukuya

It’s hard to disagree with Sharks management bringing hard-man Jeremy Smith to the club. His resume speaks for itself. Smith has played in the last four grand finals, winning three and in two successful international campaigns with the Kiwis (2008 World Cup and 2010 Four Nations). His experience and toughness will galvanise an already solid forward pack. The acquisition of Smith could be exactly what second-row partner Anthony Tupou needs.

When they initially signed Tupou in 2008, the Sharks had planned on teaming him with Greg Bird and Paul Gallen, a potential back row that would be the envy of the other fifteen NRL teams for the 2009 season. But they never got to play together. Bird was released in January 2009 due to off-field issues and returned to the NRL last year signing with the Gold Coast Titans.

The ex-Rooster can now re-establish himself as more of a damaging support player. Tupou was required to toughen up his game scored a lone try in 2010, the lowest season output for his career. His offloading can create excellent second-phase play. Tupou assisted on 10 line breaks last year and hopefully he can improve not only on a personal level but improve the NRL’s worst attacking team. If Tupou struggles, the Sharks have some quality young backrowers coming through with ex-Parramatta juniors Taulima Tautai and Broderick Wright looking to increase their role with the team.

Lock

Starter: Paul Gallen
Depth: Trent Grubb

There is no doubt how important Paul Gallen is to Cronulla. Gallen had a massive 2010 season. After a controversial career to date, the Sharks hard-man came out in 2010 and let his actions on the field do all the talking. He led the NRL in runs, (492) metres, (4117) and offloads (64). He was also the Sharks’ top tackler with 750 (seventh in the NRL).

He won numerous awards including the Sharks Player of the Year award, The Harry Sunderland Medal as Australia’s best player, the Golden Boot Lock of the Year. His superior play was rewarded with Origin selection for New South Wales and represented Australia in all five tests. With his hard work at all levels, he was naturally the right selection in taking over the Sharks captaincy due to the retirement of Trent Barrett for the upcoming 2011 season.

He will be a ‘lock’ for New South Wales and Australian selection and if he misses any games, the Sharks have young Trent Grubb to fill in.

Halfback

Starter: Tim Smith
Depth: Chad Townsend, Scott Porter

After quitting the NRL in 2008, Tim Smith returned in 2010, teaming up with Trent Barrett, his Wigan teammate from the U.K. Super League. Smith had a great start and was instrumental in two victories against his former club Parramatta, and the Round 7 win against Newcastle.

Smith ended up playing 18 games for the Sharks but his form dropped as the season wore on. It is interesting to note however, that the Sharks win loss record was 7-11 when Smith was in the side. Chad Townsend, a star from the Toyota Cup side will throw his hat into the ring. Townsend scored 8 tries, assisted on 22, kicked 54 goals, and set up 22 line breaks in an impressive full season.

Five-Eighth

Starter: Wade Graham
Depth: Scott Porter, Albert Kelly

The Sharks signed 20-year-old Wade Graham from the Panthers on a two-year deal to replace captain Trent Barrett in the number six jersey. Graham knocked back the opportunity to play alongside Australian halfback Johnathon Thurston to lead the rebuilding Sharks.

Graham was squeezed out of Penrith due to the success of the halves combination Travis Burns and Luke Walsh. He might just be able to work well with Smith and form a similar dynamic combination. Graham was instrumental in the 50-12 demolition against his future employers. But Graham will definitely not be a shoe-in for the position. Scott Porter and Albert Kelly will also be in contention for a halves spot.

Centres

Starters: Ben Pomeroy and Dean Collis
Depth: Colin Best, Matthew Wright and Stewart Mills

The centre combination of Pomeroy and Collis has a lot of room for improvement. Collis had a fair season scoring seven tries but Ben Pomeroy hasn’t reached his potential and in recent seasons has been rather disappointing. In 2007 the big centre had a stellar season scoring 12 tries and followed it up with 9 tries in 2008 but since has struggled with form and niggling injuries.

The Sharks have a sleeper in their squad in young talent Stewart Mills. Yet to make his first grade debut, the 19-year-old’s career has been stalled by serious injuries over the past two seasons. Mills impressed last season in a trial against Manly but broke down, tearing his anterior cruciate ligament. Mills required a knee reconstruction and will be hoping for a start in the top grade in 2011.

Wingers

Starters: Colin Best and John Williams
Depth: Isaac Gordon

New signings Colin Best and John Williams will have some big shoes to fill with the loss of Blake Ferguson and goal kicker Luke Covell. Williams, a Sydney junior, returns south after a three-year stint up north at the Cowboys. His goalkicking makes him a handy acquisition.

Best returns for his second stint at his junior club. Gordon will be in the mix as well. The flyer showed that he is one of the fastest players in the NRL. His place in the side will be affected by where Best will play in the side.

Starter: Nathan Gardner
Depth: Albert Kelly, Ryan Tongia

The fullback position has been rather contentious over the past few seasons. Since David Peachey left in 2006, Brett Kearney, Dave Simmons, Misi Taulapapa, Mitch Brown, Bryson Goodwin, Nathan Stapleton and Albert Kelly have all been given the chance to make the number one jersey theirs. Flanagan is hoping that incumbent fullback Nathan’s Gardner’s outstanding play at the back can continue for years to come.

The 20-year-old had a terrific year in his first season in the top grade locking down the number one jersey after a string of sublime performances. His great season put him in contention for the 2010 Dally M Rookie of the Year award, which was won by the Broncos’ Matt Gillett. He has signed a two-year extension with the Sharks and will be hoping the second-year syndrome that struck down Parramatta’s Daniel Mortimer stays well away from Toyota Stadium or wherever the Sharks are playing for that matter.

Looking to the 2011 NRL Season

The loss of veterans Trent Barrett and Luke Covell will see the need for players to step up and lead this team into the finals. If the Sharks are to be successful this year they will need to adapt a grinding game, similar to what the Dragons did in 2010.

It will rest on the experience and play of the Sharks strength, their forward pack, all of who have played some form of representative football in recent years. Led by their new captain Paul Gallen, it is arguably one of the best in the NRL possessing a great mix of attack and defense. They will have the ability to control the ruck, make valuable metres and cause the opposition plenty of headaches.

The Sharks were quite disciplined in 2010 giving away an average of 7.1 penalties a game. Although they were one of the better tackling sides in the league, (31 missed tackles per game – third best in the NRL) their defense allowed the second highest metres gained per game (1382). An unwelcome trend that haunted the Sharks last season was their poor first half defense. The boys from ‘the Shire’ conceded 354 of the 539 points (65.5%) in the first 40 minutes of the match.

The backline is definitely a concern. Best and Williams are fair signings but outside backs will have match-up problems against most sides. Nathan Gardner had a great 2010 and is a danger with the ball in any situation, but he will be targeted in the air on defense.

Graham and Smith, the likely halves combination, will be crucial to Cronulla’s success. The pair have a similar feel to the Manly 2010 halves of Kieran Foran and Trent Hodkinson. Both players have a wealth of potential but need to perform week in and week out for the Sharks to be a success in 2011. They will need to improve upon a rather dormant attack that only produced an NRL worst 62 tries in 2010.

The Sharks possess a decent crop of youngsters awaiting their chance to challenge first grade spots. Stewart Mills and Chad Townsend should handle the step up if given the chance and will no doubt give Sharkies’ fans some hope for the future.

Speaking of future, there has been growing concerns of the financial state of the club. It is believed that the current board inherited debt of just over $12 million. There has been speculation that the team would leave the area and chase the corporate dollars, relocating to Perth or Adelaide. However that talk has subsided after the proposal of land development around the Cronulla Leagues Club and Toyota Stadium. The $300 million residential and retail development would include upgrading the current amenities of Toyota Stadium, turning it into a state-of-the-art complex that would assist in attracting talent to the club.

With some new talent on the field, coach Shane Flanagan in his first full season and some exciting times off the field, it could well be the transformation that the Sharks have desperately needed heading into their 45th season.

It would be great to see the Sharks back in the top eight and challenge for their maiden NRL title, but I think they might just be a year or two away from playing finals football and potentially creating something special for their patient and loyal fans.