The NRL off-season is slowly drawing to a close, with the NRL Nines just over a week away and the start of the season proper just over another month after that.
The draw for the 2015 season has been released, the pre-season fixtures have been confirmed and each team’s roster is nearing completion after all the wheeling and dealing of the off season.
Over the next 16 days, I am going to be giving you a comprehensive preview of each team and what is going to be in store for them over the coming season. I will look at everything from the pre-season fixtures right through to what each team’s best 17 is looking like – and where they should end up at the pointy end of the season.
Starting the preview series today, from the bottom of last year’s NRL ladder will be the Cronulla Sutherland Sharks.
Their 2014 season was a complete and utter disaster. That literally is the only way to truly put into words how Cronulla’s 2014 season unfolded.
They had to battle through the continuing ASADA nightmare, had enough injuries for a decade and had their lead playmaker Todd Carney making a fool of himself while on the drink yet again, just to name a few.
To put it in very simple terms, it would be impossible for Cronulla to go any worse in the 2015 season, and they shouldn’t. The Cronulla Sharks do have a fair bit of talent sprinkled throughout their roster and so should be in for a massive improvement in 2015.
Pre-season fixtures
Jan 31 – Feb 1: Auckland Nines versus Sydney Roosters, Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs and Brisbane Broncos at Eden Park, Auckland.
Feb 7 – versus Manly Sea Eagles at Pittwater Park
Feb 14 – versus Wests Tigers at Campbelltown
The 2015 pre–season for the Cronulla Sutherland Sharks will be one of the most important in recent years.
The Sharks will be feeling that the 2015 season will be one where they can finally get rid of ASADA and hopefully stay out of injury trouble.
Apart from the Auckland Nines, they have two other games. The game against Manly will be a great challenge for them, considering Manly are always one of those teams that are up the pointy end of the table.
The game against the Tigers is an interesting one, as both teams finished at the wrong end of the ladder last season and will be hoping for improvements this year.
Ins and outs
2015 gains: Ben Barba (Brisbane Broncos, 2017), Gerard Beale (St George Illawarra Dragons, 2017), Jack Bird (St George Illawarra Dragons, 2016), Mitch Brown (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, 2016), Jayson Bukuya (New Zealand Warriors, 2016), Michael Ennis (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, 2017), Saulala Houma (Sydney Roosters, 2015), Todd Murphy (2015), Sami Sauiluma (Canberra Raiders, 2015), Kyle Stanley (St George Illawarra Dragons, 2015)
2015 losses: Todd Carney (Catalan Dragons), Isaac De Gois (Parramatta Eels), Bryce Gibbs (retired), Michael Lichaa (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Sione Masima (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Mark Mexico (Gateshead Thunder ), John Morris (retired), Beau Ryan (retired), Tupou Sopoaga (Penrith Panthers), Nathan Stapleton (Sydney Roosters), Siosaia Vave (Manly Sea Eagles), Jonathan Wright (New Zealand Warriors)
The Sharks have recruited well throughout the end of last season and right throughout the off-season.
There is no doubt their biggest signing is Ben Barba, but they have others across the board including the likes of Michael Ennis, Mitch Brown, Gerard Beale and Jason Bukuya. As well as this they picked up Kyle Stanley, who if he can stay injury free has the potential to be devastating.
Jackson Bird is one of the best young juniors going around at the moment.
Season fixtures
R1 Sun 08 Mar 2015, 6:30pm, Remondis Stadium Sharks V Raiders
R2 Fri 13 Mar 2015, 8:35pm, Remondis Stadium Sharks V Broncos
R3 Sat 21 Mar 2015, 7:30pm, AAMI Park Storm V Sharks
R4 Sat 28 Mar 2015, 5:30pm, Remondis Stadium Sharks V Titans
R5 Sun 05 Apr 2015, 4:00pm, Allianz Stadium Roosters V Sharks
R6 Fri 10 Apr 2015, 7:35pm, Remondis Stadium Sharks V Knights
R7 Mon 20 Apr 2015, 7:00pm, Remondis Stadium Sharks V Rabbitohs
R8 Sun 26 Apr 2015, 2:00pm, Sportingbet Stadium Panthers V Sharks
R9 Sat 09 May 2015, 5:30pm, Remondis Stadium Sharks V Warriors
R10 Sat 16 May 2015, 5:30pm, Cbus Super Stadium Titans V Sharks
R12 Sun 31 May 2015, 4:00pm, Jubilee Oval Dragons V Sharks
R13 Sun 07 Jun 2015, 4:00pm, Remondis Stadium Sharks V Roosters
R15 Sun 21 Jun 2015, 2:00pm, Hunter Stadium Knights V Sharks
R16 Sat 27 Jun 2015, 5:30pm, 1300 Smiles Stadium Cowboys V Sharks
R17 Sun 05 Jul 2015, 4:00pm, Brookvale Oval Sea Eagles V Sharks
R18 Sun 12 Jul 2015, 4:00pm, Remondis Stadium Sharks V Dragons
R19 Sat 18 Jul 2015, 3:00pm, GIO Stadium Raiders V Sharks
R20 Sun 26 Jul 2015, 4:00pm, Belmore Sports Ground Bulldogs V Sharks
R21 TBC, Mt Smart Stadium Warriors V Sharks
R22 TBC, Remondis Stadium Sharks V Cowboys
R23 TBC, Remondis Stadium Sharks V Storm
R24 TBC, Remondis Stadium Sharks V Wests Tigers
R25 TBC, Pirtek Stadium Eels V Sharks
R26 TBC, Remondis Stadium Sharks V Sea Eagles
Draw analysis
The Sharks, being a team that finished down the bottom of the table last season, are a team that need a very strong start to the season. Having five out of their first seven games at home will be a massive plus for the Sharks.
However, the actual teams that they are playing inside the first eight rounds will be a very tough challenge for the Sharks.
They only play three teams from outside last year’s top eight and they also play three out of last year’s top four inside the first eight weeks of the season.
The Sharks could well be a team that come the back half of the season could have a fight on their hands to be in the eight, so having four of their last five games at home will be a massive advantage for them.
However the opposition during those games are quite strong as they play the Cowboys, Storm and Sea Eagles during the last five weeks of the season.
The middle part of the season is shaping up as a massive part of the season for the Sharks and one where they need to win a lot of games as they play not as strong opposition based on last year’s table.
They also don’t play as many home games in that period of the season. The Sharks play the Raiders, the Dragons, the Titans, the Roosters, the Knights, the Sea Eagles, the Cowboys, the Storm and the New Zealand Warriors.
Out of this they play five out of nine teams that missed the eight last season. All in all the Sharks have a pretty friendly sort of draw for the 2015 NRL season.
State of Origin
The Cronulla Sharks are one of those clubs that even if they finish at the wrong end of the table seem to have a number of Origin players every year.
This year is no different with the likes of Paul Gallen and Luke Lewis among others at the club. The Sharks however, should be well equipped to handle this after the crazy injury counts they had last year.
This should have prepared plenty of players for NRL and they will all be better for the experience in 2015.
Predicted finish and final word
The Sharks will be looking for a massive improvement on last year and if they can stay injury and drama free they should be able to. I’m tipping the Sharks to just inside the top eight at the end of the season.
Tomorrow I’ll be back with the 2015 NRL season preview of the Canberra Raiders.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
The Sharks after two years of hell,and the light(not yet Harold Holt's) finally appearing out of the tunnel,should make the 8. Based on a well balanced blend of fast exciting youth and experience. Having the old reliables of Gallen,Gordon,Lewis,Graham and Robson with the addition of Ennis, providing the guile,the young backs namely Feki,Gagan & Valentine Holmes(a class act) the finishing touch ,should provide plenty of smiles at Remondis Barba is the icing on the cake for the backline.The very thought of him serving it up to Whispering Wayne's Broncos ,will "Make my day." Provided the forwards achieve the forward momentum,and create the space for the backs who have the speed and finishing ability,the team should win more than its fair share of games.That is of course the forwards realise they are not backs,and steer clear of cluttering the backline,which inevitably leads to a stilted attack and poor finishing. Ennis will take some of the pressure off Gallen,due to his leadership abilities and his niggling prowess.My fervent wish is Ennis does not become a ref's nightmare and the team gets penalised off the park. Some of the ideas Gorman(CEO) has already instituted and taken on board will add further to the game as an event and being family friendly.The air of optimism swirling around the club at this early stage ,is contagious for the locals. Who knows Harold Holt may yet make a guest appearance in his wetsuit.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Disgraceful comment.
The eye
Guest
dunno about no never say die..pulled off 2 famous come from behinds last year,that victory over the cowboys in the semis year before last,when Tate and Taumalolo had spiders on them,a week later in the second semi when they had Manly done as Johnny Morris' brain exploded..but sure,Ennis adds starch and theres heaps of back up troops this year..no 8 no excuses
Albo
Guest
Well I think they have recruited very well and can be a threat to finally take out their maiden premiership ! The signing of Ennis is vital to instilling the mongrel to win. He led a very average Dogs roster to the GF last year. Cronulla have always lacked a "never say die" attitude about their game. Ennis combined with Gallen & Lewis should instil some into the club at last. Great signing of a future star in Jack Bird. Whilst Barba is bonus signing who may or may not win you a game or two. And Beale, Bakuya, Brown & Kyle Stanley a solid first graders. Still a weakness in the centres I think ? As long as they stay fit and stay clear of Northies, they are a chance in 2015 !
Squidward
Roar Rookie
What?
Jara W
Guest
Can't let a Cronulla season preview slide without pointing out that they will not be fielding a legitimate team. Disgraceful.
The eye
Guest
Gee I hope that turns out..looking forward to seeing the Sharks nines whippets squad...Broncos look like they've got other things on their mind than nines,to put it diplomatically..
Greg
Guest
Although he played 5/8 last year, Nu Brown is actually a hooker and will be on the bench as a backup hooker to Ennis. He'll be learning as much as he can from Ennis over the next few years before Ennis retires and Brown takes over.
Wascally Wabbit
Guest
So, Harold Holt is finally coming home.
Sharksfan
Guest
Sharks have recruited well for there squad. I think Gagan could play well in the centres, for his size and speed. But Nu Brown should be bench replacement for Ennis. Jack Bird another cente, Beale and Feki wingers, but we have signed quite a few so who ever in form should play. I like Mitch Brown but i think we have players with more potential then him, or is better that i dont know where he will fit. Id actually like to see Todd Murphy played with Ben Barba at one stage and Dallas Wells get a game. Other than that i see Sharks finish from 6 - 8.
up up cronulla
Guest
Wow i didnt know the bulldogs rejected him, but i agree our best signing by far!
MAX
Guest
On November 25, 2014 C-S RLFC announced the most important signing in the history of the club. Lyell Gorman in his own inimitable way will lead the club to heights beyond the dreams of the most ardent Shark fan(s). As a devoted Canterbury man I was rendered speechless when learning that my club had rejected him to take over from Todd Greenberg. The Sharks finally got Lucky. I wish the Sharks a very good season in which they will finish 7th - 10th. Further, I tip the C-S RLFC to win two premierships between 2016- 2021, leaving something for the Bulldogs.
Renegade
Roar Guru
I'd say Pat Politini will likely be the back up to start the season.... However promising youngster Brad Deitz may get a call up at some point as he will be the long term hooker at the Sharks once Ennis's contract is up. One of Ennis's individual objectives over the next few seasons is to groom Deitz into the number 9 at Cronulla.
kevin dustby
Guest
they will go all right, get gallen,lewis,fitifita on the field plus some good recruits
Parrafan
Guest
They've recruited alright. Hate Ennis for being a niggler but he was one of the main reasons for the Bulldogs move into the finals. Barba is still an unknown at 5/8th. Beale and Brown whilst not world beaters are solid first graders and will keep the other wingers and centres honest. Jack Brid comes with big wraps as well. Out of interest who is their backup hooker? I thought De Gois did a fantastic job for Parra in the back half of last season, going from a reserve grade hooker to 80 minute first grade every week.