Is it the new TV show ‘The Shire’ that has Cronulla worrying about their image rather than what’s going on on the rugby league field?
Or are all NRL teams sharing a big can of Shark repellent? I don’t know what’s going through your mind but Sunday’s performance by the Sharks was, to put it simply, lacklustre.
So surely it couldn’t be the inspiring effects of their captain Paul Gallen. The Sharks last won at Suncorp Stadium against an in form Broncos side without the Sharks (and Blues) captain.
Although both teams were missing their Origin stars, it still proved a gritty bash-em-up-type match with powerhouse performances by some Sharks players.
Fast forward to a draw with the Roosters, an eight-point loss to the Saints and now a 32-point loss to the Raiders, who apart from last week (Titans) have been claiming some high up scalps. What is the common factor in these losing games excluding the absence of Gallen? There was no Jeremy Smith.
Let’s consider Smith as the factor, and all this commotion around Luke Lewis coming to the club and the many other signings that Cronulla made this year.
Rumour has it that Smith may leave next year with one-year left on his contract, but is the New Zealand Test star the shining light that the Sharks need for that first glorious premiership?
Smith has already won two premierships, Melbourne Storm in 2007 and St. George Illawarra Dragons in 2010, and was an essential part of the Four Nations victory for NZ in 2010. So is this the player that Cronulla need to retain with his experience?
If so, I think Lewis would be a costly purchase at the loss of Smith. Too costly.
But if he stays the Sharks in 2013 will host three current Test level second rowers, and if they obtain a premiership, Smith will be a rare player who would achieve three premierships under three different clubs. Not to mention it would be the Sharks first ever premiership…
This weekend may see the return of Gallen and Smith, back into the fold from injury. If this doesn’t spark the side up I’d be searching Penrith Players bags for a can of Batman’s Shark repellent.
However, depending on how both players return, if Smith slips the boots on I believe it will be his leadership and winning nature that will bind the team and return the Sharks to their premiership contending form.
josh
Guest
Listen, Craig, mate would you stop spending so much time on League blogs making the rest of us laugh and concentrate a little more on getting your team ready for this weekend. Also have a word to Cam about his wrestling technique would you, we wouldn't want him being cited - just a little joke we all know Smith's untouchable...
josh
Guest
Briscoe. Also rumours doing the rounds re SKD and Jennings, but I wouldn't hold my breath.
josh
Guest
Yeh, genuis, that's what I'm hearing, that Smith wants a release on compassionate grounds, those being that he want's larger crowds such as those packed stadiums he played in front of for years in Melbourne...We all know salary, location, potential success and coach/playing roster are secondary considerations for players when compared with average crowd attendance. You want to talk about flogging a dead horse - why don't you write about something original for once instead of your "brisbane is the centre of the Rugby League/Political/Economic universe" BS.
Knight Vision
Guest
Smith has won one Premiership not two. Storm does not count sorry. It really annoys me when people talk as if the Storms Premierships meant something. They cheated. Winning with a stacked deck counts for nothing.
Liam
Guest
Your a hoax Luke Lewis is more versatile and younger player who can offer more in respect to helping build and shape a team as apposed to Smith who would breeze in and out again. Luke Lewis is an all round better option. I'm a devastated Penrtih fan! He should still be captain but Ivan Cleary is clearly an idiot. Who squeezes out a 17 year club man and drop's Micheal Jenning to reserve grade?! and IDIOT that's who!
phil
Guest
he cant negotiate any contracts untill his contract is finished so im not sure where all this hear say is coming from..
Adam Everitt
Guest
AndyMack, Sam Tomkins signed a 5-year deal with Wigan not so long back. He is, in my opinion, the best and most naturally gifted player in Super League at the minute. We'd love to see him play NRL; I often say that if you want to be described as 'world class' you've got to do it at the top domestic level. I think he could grow into one of the most frightening attacking full backs but there is a fair bit to work on.
AndyMack
Guest
Hope its Tomkins. What a star he would be in the Shire.
PuntPal
Guest
Good article I am surprised the Sharks purchased Lewis, it is not like most of their recent recruits - Best, Ross, Green, Gibbs, Graham... They have purchased good players and turned them into very good players. But recent they have seen what Carney and SMith have done and think Lewis can be the superstar that helps turn then into premiers. I think Smith was let go because he is a player that plays his best just around time to negotatie a contract. He was pretty average for Sharks until this year in my opinion. But before he was injured, he was in close to career best form.
Mals
Roar Rookie
You version doesn't count except in your own mind or perhaps a parallel universe! :-D
dishes
Guest
I don't think Cronulla can be lumped in with Manly. The Sharks have a lot of local juniors, they own their own stadium. If the Sharks win a premiership watch all the borderline Sharks fans come out of the woodwork. The crowds and support is pretty solid, considering they haven't won a premiership in 45 years. Plus are teams like the Roosters and the Rabbitohs growing the game? They consistently get mediocre numbers right in the heart of Sydney. This should be seen as more of a problem.
AGO74
Guest
Smith will stay for two reasons - 1. The cap is increasing and 2. Lewis' contract will be backended to facilitate Smith leaving at end of next year (or possibly year after if Smith warrants an extension). Sharkies need one more quality outside back. Word is they are talking to a British international.
dishes
Guest
Yes, it is unbalanced but the signing of Lewis was still great because he will be a massive boost to the club, on and off the field. It is even more unbalanced when you consider Pomeroy is more of a 'back-row 'style player. I think Wade Graham might get a run in the centres at some point, or Stuart Mills. Matthew Wright is getting better and better. Plus Flanagan has openly said he is looking to bring some more outside backs to the club. Regarding Smith, Flanagan is aware of how good he is, and has said he is desperate to keep him at the club
Jimbo Jones
Guest
You could also put Manly in that bag - they've lost a few to some bottom 8 teams.
Greg meek
Guest
Good story,well written. Nice piece by the rookie
The Barry
Roar Guru
I agree 100% with this article. Jeremy Smith is one of the most under-rated players in the comp to my mind. All you ever hear about is Smith's aggression or his toughness but he offers much more than that. He has a decent work rate but everything he does is quality. He inspires those around him. He's one of the few forwards that have left the Storm set-up and excelled elsewhere. I rate Luke Lewis highly but there's no way that I'd cut Smith for him. Add the fact that Lewis is likely to be involved during Origin again next year, while in Smith they have someone that can lead the team through the tough period when they're missing Gallen.
Renegade
Guest
That just depends on who's writing the history books mate.....in my version of events - the Melbourne Storm won the grand final in both those years.
Mals
Roar Rookie
Yep I did see a grand final game but history shows no one won the premiership in 2007 & 2009.
Jay
Guest
the sharks have been in a couple of grand finals already..
tonysalerno
Roar Guru
They both present different qualities to the side- Jeremy Smith with his aggressiveness and Lewis with his footwork and skill. But if an Australian player comes knocking on your door; you let him in. I think Lewis will be a good signing for the Sharks but i don't know if that will be enough to get the sharks their first grand final. Luke Lewis would have had a better chance at premiership success playing at the tigers in 2013.