The Cronulla Sharks have had 48 seasons of nothing. That’s right, nothing.
Well, that’s excluding the 1979 Amco Cup and three wooden spoons – not least the newest addition yet to be officially showcased in an otherwise barren trophy case.
But from what we’ve come to know of the Sharks – and specifically more so in recent times – is that nothing, to them, means absolutely everything.
I’ve been a Cronulla supporter for as long as I’ve known rugby league. And for all of that time we’ve always been the underdog. We’ve always been the no-hopers from near the tip that built their stadium on top of a swamp.
More recently, we’ve come to be known as the drug cheats, who sacked their coach before their marquee man did his best Bear Grylls impersonation.
And, although it pains me to say it, we’ve always been – and probably always will be – the ‘little brother’ of the two-sides-come-one that couldn’t survive on their lonesome.
Would I swap it for the world? Not a chance. Why? Because on Monday night my boys made the trip to Townsville with nothing to play for.
Sitting stranded in 16th place, with no hope of jumping the Raiders, the Sharks also had nothing to lose. Hell, even I tipped them to go down by more than 40.
Sure, they fell short on the scoreboard. Down 19-12 with five minutes to play, not even the best short kick-off of all time could arrest Johnathan Thurston’s control of the proceedings.
But what the Sharks showed throughout all of Monday night’s 80 minutes typifies why they have defied, and will continue to defy, the naysayers for many a year to come.
They’ve used 37 players – let alone three coaches – in 2014.
This figure is by far and away more than that of any other side. Short on numbers, even the bloke behind the mower got a run on Monday.
Having staged two of the greatest comebacks in NRL history inside two weeks earlier on in the season, another miracle looked on the cards. And while they again walked away with nothing to show for it, the performance filled me with confidence that far better times are only a stone’s throw away.
Nothing will stop us from rebuilding into a competitive side. And once we do, well, then you’ll see that ‘nothing’ has everything to play for.
Renegade
Roar Guru
So you're using the Storm and Dogs as examples of why Cronulla shouldn't be allowed to play? I don't know what alternate universe you're in but both those teams were still allowed to play after their indiscretions. As far as I'm concerned - the comparison is invalid and I still don't know what you're arguing. The people involved have been punished - move on.
Jay C
Roar Guru
What is the article about. The Cronulla Sharks. It was the Sharks who drugged their whole team wasn't it. Or am I thinking of something else?
Renegade
Guest
mate you said "Why are they still allowed to play?" Explain this comment if you want to debate.
manhands
Guest
How can that effort not have a positive spin to it? You have a team with 17 of top squad unavailable, playing againest a team trying to secure 4th- and they nearly beat them? If JT wasn't there they would have won. Interesting that JT tried every trick in the book and for the most part they were nullified. I loved it, Sharks also had 2 of the worst 1st graders playing- Ayshford and Holdsworth. If they had won I'd argue it would have been one of the biggest upsets in 20 years.
Jay C
Roar Guru
I don't see Gallens name anywhere? I could care less about about NSW's least successful captain admitting to using performance enhancing drugs. Other than the asterix I will personally put next to every mention of NSW's victory 2014. I just find it funny that the Storm and Bulldogs over pay some players and it costs thema possible 4 premierships, and yet the habitually awful sharks do it and you don't think it warrants discussion two weeks later.
Renegade
Guest
Still don't understand what you're saying.... All I'm getting is "I hate gallen".
Jay C
Roar Guru
Oh yeah, thats right. Because there is only a two week window to talk about cheating. Thats why nobody ever brings up the Storm, or under arm bowling. I forgot we were just sweeping this one under the rug.
KIwiBear
Guest
There were no real issues with the Bears they were one of the better performing clubs of the 90s. As I said previously if there hadn't been a messy end to the League War and so many other clubs out to save themselves then they may not have been so quick to throw the Bears under the proverbial bus!
AL
Guest
This club should have been evicted from the NRL to play lower league for at least 2 years. Yet we have stories like these putting positive spin on a team that cheated.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Why is who allowed to play? You're copy and paste comments are about two weeks out of date...
Jay C
Roar Guru
Why are they still allowed to play? Aren't they drug cheats? Wasn't it systematic? How come you pay someone a bit more money and you lose a premiership but you systematically inject your players with dubious performance enhancing drugs and you get a smack on the bottom and 5 minutes in the naughty corner.
Judge Holden
Roar Guru
Ahh alright so it's ok to win the spoon as long as it's not the Cowboys who "give" it too them. Fair enough. If you want to get technical though if the Sharks finished the season with two big wins and if Canberra got smashed in their last two games they could have avoided the spoon. But yes, I suppose it was already given to them last week. Well considering the Broncos have been playing like mules the last few years they don't have a great deal to laugh about. They'd kill just to make the finals again. I like to live in the moment though. Just when the Sharkies thought they had a miracle win the lads stepped up. Kicking the bucket just as they thought they might live for an instant. Made me all tingly inside. Maybe Gallen can use the spoon to bake himself a cake to feel better whilst he's watching the finals.
The eye
Guest
well the spoon was already awarded so looks like youve been dudded...again..ah,last years final,now that was fine entertainment,my friend..hope your Bronco buddies were kind enough not to laugh long and hard at that..
fishes
Guest
As tim rogers once said 'thank god I've hit the bottom'. Good times ahead for the sharks. Up, up!
fishes
Guest
Yeah the st George dragons have already died they may as we'll leave kogarah too. Long live Cronulla
up up cronulla
Guest
Hieghno was awsome last night, i always cheers for the tigers when i watch them as have always had a soft spot for magpies and tigers, as for ronnie earlier you just cant ever give praise to the sharks can you!
curaeus
Guest
Been a Wests Magpies and then a Wests Tigers fan for more than 50 years and I can tell you I was cheering for the Sharks last night. What a courageous effort. Deserved better luck in the end. Unlike the utterly disgraceful rubbish dished up by our NRL mob to Tigers fans when we caved in to the Cowboys last time we played them. I hope we both have better fortune in 2015. Lots of great kids at both clubs so you'd hope things would get a lot better. Great to see an old Tiger Heighno go so well. Terrific bloke and wholehearted worker. How the Tigers could do with him right now!
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Let's hope souths get sick of Reynolds or Brisbane spend all their cap on fullbacks and offload ben hunt!
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Tigers shall give it to them. Or even raiders last week by that logic. So you are beaten by a Queensland conspirocy not to give the spoon again Locke!
John
Guest
I've been a Sharks supporter since they entered the Comp in 1967, I was six years old. I will never support another team, and I love the fact that this side over the last 2 years, with all the controversy around has never given up in any of the games they played. Last night was an amazing effort from bunch of young blokes and I felt sorry for them when the last Cowboys try was awarded. There was no video proof that the ball ever touched the ground but since Ashley Klein had advised a try to the video ref, awarded. Great effort by the Sharks, can't wait for next season.