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There have been many wonderful achievements in the current NRL season but it’s going to take something of the ‘mega’ variety to topple what the Sharks have achieved by sealing a finals berth.
Wandering out of Remondis Stadium last night, I took a good look at the faces of the locals who were understandably jubilant after the determined win over the Roosters.
The ASADA investigation has taken a heavy personal toll on many of the players; the coach and other staffers have been stood down and subsequently reinstated to their posts.
Major ground and jumper sponsors have been lacking for most of 2013 but they are there now and should reap handsome rewards for their faith and financial commitment.
There has also been an extraordinary amount of turmoil off the field with a new administration brought in, CEOs coming and going and ugly headlines in the press that accompany such machinations.
Lesser clubs would have buckled under such incredible pressure but the Sharks players have shown outstanding professionalism, keeping their minds on the job at hand which has been to win football games.
Last night, I was excited watching them blow the Roosters off the park 26-0 in the first half and I was intrigued as they worked overtime to keep the competition leaders out as they rocketed home with four thrilling tries.
The senior player group including Gallen, Heighington, Lewis, Robson, Gordon, De Gois, Ryan, Gibbs, Pomeroy and Carney have done an exceptional job for the Sharks and they’ve spurred the likes of Fifita, Feki, Bukuya, Wright and Tagatese to greater effort.
I also have great admiration for the contributions from Morris, Graham and Tupou.
There you go, I have named their entire 18-man squad – it has been a fabulous team effort, brilliantly co-ordinated by head coach Shane Flanagan and his offsider, Peter Sharp.
So, how far can they go in the comp? We learnt last night that they certainly have the talent and confidence to compete with the big guns They won’t be there in the finals to make up the numbers.
I am not tipping them to win the title, that might be beyond them at this stage.
But if they can keep their stars fit and firing, and value possession like they did in the first half last night, whoever they play will need to be ultra cautious.
The Sharks showed they can play (and handle) the highly physical confrontations that finals bring.
They demonstrated that their so-called inability to score points was a myth. They showed tremendous unity and heart to repel the resurgent Roosters in the second half.
I’m really glad I was there to see them cement their finals spot and I hope they get due credit for a mighty achievement against seemingly impossible odds.
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