Cronulla have been buried in controversy for some time now. It has no doubt affected the Sharks on and off the field.
Now that it should be all done and dusted, how will the refreshed Sharks perform in the 2015 season? How can they completely turn their club around into a team other sides fear to play?
It’s simple. If the Sharks can stay away from the media and have ASADA off their backs, then they will be a top eight pushing top four side.
This year was terrible for the Sharks as all the media turned their focus to off-field issues. It would have always been at the back of their heads throughout the year.
Hopefully things can be forgotten and players can shift their attention to how they can help the team to win games.
Their line-up is lethal, especially in the forwards, arguably boasting the best big men in the game. The likes of Paul Gallen, Andrew and David Fifita, Wade Graham, Luke Lewis and now Michael Ennis, who should slip nicely into the Sharks style of play.
This is a very damaging international forward pack that you wouldn’t be surprised if you saw them in a winning premiership line-up. It’s almost the exact same as the 2012-13 forward pack that saw them make the semis.
Like I say for most teams, if they can lay the platform for their backs and play to their potential then anything is possible for the Sharks.
The Sharks have recently signed former Brisbane and Canterbury back Ben Barba to add some more attacking power to their back line. If the Sharks want to be a strong side in 2015, this man needs to focus and regain his superb 2012 form.
At best Barba is one of the best backs in the game. You only need to watch two minutes of his highlights to agree. So, if he finds himself in the top 10 of the Dally M leaderboards in 2015, the Sharks will be high up on the NRL ladder.
They have some young but very creative outside backs, which should see high chemistry with Barba. In every team you need players that can produce, experience and control, and Michael Gordon and Jeff Robson are capable of that.
The Sharks also have depth in their lower grades, with a number of players possibly making the step up to first grade next season.
Overall, if the Sharks can completely scratch last year out of their heads and focus on simply winning this year, then no doubt they can make the finals. All the players have to worry about is playing the best they possibly can on the field and they can finish anywhere.
The RiffMarn
Guest
Will be one of two teams - Newcaslte being the other knocking on the door for the finals but will be a tall task to knock out any of the top 8 from last year tbh.
The RiffMarn
Guest
U make it sound as if penrith was a surprise packet last year.....just imagine if u add Taylor / Cartwright / Peachey / Wallace back into that squad.....
ben
Guest
"Stay away from the media"????? Dumb idea right there. How about learn to deal effectively with the media and be a club the media loves to cover. Win win that way.
Jay C
Roar Guru
Maybe Ennis can bring a bit of decision making to the Club. He should take a massive amount of weight off the shoulders of Robson, who is solid but not special. Who is the halves coach at the Sharks? they have got a big year coming up.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Valentine Holmes and Fa'amanu Brown are two very promising kids and it will be interesting where the coach plays them. The Sharks are not lacking for stars and their big prop Andrew Fifita has the talent to be the game’s best player. Despite the big names and the massive capacity they still lack an on field general to ensure their 5th tackle options are correct. Robson lacks the class and Barba is going to have to step up. I have never understood the Sharks recruitment strategy as they have let some wonderful kids go and replaced them with “has beens”. There does not seem to be any long term plan and a total focus on winning round 1. This team comes with a heap of baggage, but they have a class forward pack and are capable of defeating any team when they are at full strength. Barba was just starting to look comfortable at 6 when at the Broncos and his form will decide how the Sharkies go in 2015.
Brett
Guest
They can make the finals, but I honestly don't see them being a serious contender in 2015.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Widdop isn't a top line half? Pretty harsh imo, I'd put him top 50% in the comp last year even if he and Benji took a while to get working (as a mid season halves pairing could be expected to).
cedric
Guest
top 2 inches, any team can do it or at least get close. It comes down to being motivated by yourself or your coach. Take a look at Penrith last year. Cronulla roster looks good. Can't wait for 2015!
The Barry
Roar Guru
But they don't have a top line half, hooker, forward, fullback, etc.
Ken
Guest
He could be, he didn't have a great year this year and he's not getting any younger. Lewis and Gallen are getting on a bit too and have rep duty besides. Realistically these guys have had a great looking pack for years without really doing anything with it - makes me sceptical despite agreeing in principal.
Ken
Guest
Despite the doom and gloom of the headlines I wouldn't write the Dragons off yet. They were on the edge of the eight this year and I think most of their player movements have been fairly astute - they've dropped quite a lot of deadwood that they were paying too much for and I think have picked up some good value. Morris was a blow, a great player and will be missed but realistically he's a winger and is much easier to replace than a topline half, hooker, forward, fullback etc.
Don
Roar Rookie
Of course they can make the finals. Half the teams in the comp "make" the finals. Seriously though, they have a strong roster and as long as they get some luck with injuries along the way we could see them pushing top 4. Not sure if Flanagan is any good as a coach - we'll see - but you wouldn't need to do much motivational speaking to get the guys pumped. The past year or so with ASADA surely has provided them with enough motivation to go out and smash other teams.
The eye
Guest
Only 2 teams look like going backwards next season..Raiders and Dragons..should be cluttered at the top again come round 26..very even..
The Barry
Roar Guru
They should make the 8 based on their roster but there are a few other concerns that will impact how well they go. 1. Playing with a chip on your shoulder is a fine motivator in the short term but will wear them down over a season. 2. Leadership - the two biggest chips belong to Flanagan and Gallen - everyone in the club will be looking to them and success will depend on how they process and move on from 2013/14. 3. How well and how quickly the Gordon, Barba, Robson, Ennis spine combine. There's a lot of onus on Barba to provide the spark out of that four. 4. Every club needs the bulk of their players on the field the bulk of the time. Guys like Gallen and Lewis have spent a lot of time on the sidelines in the past couple of seasons plus their origin involvement.
Jay C
Roar Guru
Mick Ennis will be a huge buy for them. And Ben Barba might go alright if they can juice him up good. The best thing Mick will bring is control of the middle. Take it out of Gallens hands. He loves to get the ball, but probably shouldn't every time.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
I think a big problem was just injuries. At full strength they won those games last year. Penrith twice
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Their pack is strong but too unreliable imo. They can make the finals and do some damage there if they can keep Gallen, Fifita, and Lewis on the park but actually doing so has proven pretty difficult.