Apart from my Parramatta Eels, there are three teams in the NRL which I have an extreme soft spot for. I do not apologise for this.
These three teams are the St George Illawarra Dragons, Cronulla Sharks and Sydney Roosters. They all have an equal place in my NRL-appreciating heart.
Out of all these teams however, there is no team that I enjoy seeing win more than the Cronulla Sharks.
The main reason for this is perhaps because of the lack of success that the Sharks have had over their time in the NRL and I love an underdog. We all know the story. The Sharks are yet to win a premiership. The Sharks haven’t looked like winning a premiership in the last couple of years.
The Sharks went into their clash against the Roosters today without any competition points and very few people had given them a chance. All these factors coupled with the trauma of the last couple of seasons – including financial woes, Todd Carney, the ASADA investigation and difficulties in the front office – has meant that it certainly has been a tumultuous time to be a Sharks fan.
But the Sharks fans continue to turn up in their thousands.
It’s for this reason that Sharks fans are among my favourite in the NRL. Despite their team’s lack of success, the Sharkies fans are always there.
They are passionate and optimistic, even in the face of defeat and have shown how fiercely committed they are to their team after everything they have been through. I love this about Sharks fans because this is what being a fan is all about. Sticking by your team through thick and thin – even when times are tough.
Indeed, when times are tough, the support of the fans often means the most.
Not only do Sharks fans have heart, but so do many of their players. The Sharkies line up usually has an ex-Eel or two in there and some of my favourite NRL players don the black and blue.
Let’s start with Jeff Robson. Not a player with the natural ability of an Inglis, Hayne or even a Guerra, Robson is instead a player who always tries his best and is extremely diligent and hardworking. This often goes unnoticed and unrewarded.
It is rare that you see razzle dazzle from Robbo, but what you will get every week is 100 per cent effort – my sort of player. In today’s game, where ego so often gets in the way, Jeff is a no fuss type player and humble for the opportunity to play the sport he loves week in and week out.
He is such a positive role model in the NRL community and it was wonderful to see him receive praise today following a Sharks win.
Then we get to Luke Lewis. Community representative, country representative, state representative and proud club representative. I have always had a soft spot for Luke Lewis. A hard-hitting forward and a pleasure both on and off the field, he is one player I would never say no to having in my side.
Following today’s win, I would also like to celebrate the new up and comers for the Sharks. The future looks bright with players like Jack Bird and Sosaia Feki leading the way.
Big congratulations also to Chris Heighington – who had my moment of the game. Heighington showed why he is the ultimate team player, standing on the side line and patting each Shark on the back at half time as they walked into the sheds.
It gave me the warm and fuzzys while watching the game. Legend.
So massive congratulations to the Sharks and their supporters on their win today. Even though you had to defeat one of my other favourites to do so, your courage, persistence and determination was admirable. Enjoy the celebrations.
Up, up Cronulla indeed.
This is @mary__kaye from @ladieswholeague
P.S. This story is dedicated to my friend Marc Leabeater who was tragically killed in a horrible accident in December last year. Apart from being a bright young lawyer and tremendous athlete, Marc’s smile lit up a room. He was the biggest Sharks fan I knew and today’s victory would have brought him pure joy. Marc, we love and miss you always.
Elma Dudd
Guest
I must admit I didn't see this one coming but its a long year and the chooks will be there when it counts. As for the Sharks they have a good team on paper so they might also be there as well ...time will tell.
Avatar
Roar Guru
The Sharks have always had a habit of beating the Roosters at Allianz Stadium in against-all-odds circumstances. Yesterday's win adds to last year's famous comeback win in Round 17 last year when the Sharks were without Paul Gallen due to Origin, had just sacked Todd Carney and had coach Peter Sharp stand aside as caretaker coach. The Sharks also posted an upset 26-12 win over the Chooks way back in 2004 as well. It's a match I still remember well as it was one of the first NRL matches I watched when I was young. With Souths losing Adam Reynolds for possibly the rest of the regular season, coupled with the Chooks losing yesterday, the premiership race seems wide open. At this stage I'd fancy the Brisbane Broncos who are going along very well under Wayne Bennett.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
The Sharks have more chances of winning a premiership than Glebe have of being reinstated. So that is something!
Renegade
Roar Guru
Great article Mary, had me feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. You've nailed what being a Sharks fan is about and you're right, they are resilient and continue to show up.... How great was it hearing the "Shaaaarrrkkieees" chant echo around the ground and through the TV. :) Hopefully the team has gained confidence and can keep it going from here!
Renegade
Roar Guru
Thanks muzz! That's a very gracious gesture in defeat mate... I get the feeling that you are one of many who have a soft spot for us ;)
Gav
Guest
Hate to imagine how much we might have paid for Barba I couldn't see him answering our halves dilemma when we bought him and I'm less confident now. Bird was outstanding. Really looks the goods
Albo
Guest
Having watched Bird play quite a few games in the Holden Cup last year he was the stand out player of that competition by a long way. I could no believe that the Dragons had not signed him up to a decent long term contract and he was off to Cronulla? They must have Benji & Widdup on huge contracts ?
Albo
Guest
Spot on ! And it shows just how close this competition is especially early in the season when most teams have the bulk of their roster available and combinations are still being developed. If you are 5% down on your form you are open to be belted by any team on their game. Barba was never going to be the Sharkies answer based on his recent form. Who knows if he can ever recapture his golden year of 2012 ? The outstanding debut of Jack Bird yesterday, now only adds more pressure on Barba and he looks headed for a bench role or NSW Cup to try to find his game. "'...weird how the halves were perfect one week and absolutely awful the next.." And that is a trend we have seen for a few seasons at the Roosters. There has been no improvement in consistency over time. If their pack is not totally dominant ( and it wasn't yesterday) the halves have all sorts of problems adjusting to the less time to play. JWH and Jake Friend are the Roosters halves best friends !
Mary Konstantopoulos
Expert
You just made me feel all warm and fuzzy again!
Mary Konstantopoulos
Expert
Thank goodness you have a soft spot for the Eels - we need all the help we can get. :P In terms of the Dragons, I fell in love with them a couple of years again when I was more able to liken them to the Eels. They were a good traditional team, had had a lack of success on the field and generally had a team of nice guys and combined with guys like Trent Barrett, Matt Cooper, Lance Thompson, Ben Creagh, Luke Patten and Mark Gasnier, I became quite fond of them.To this day, it has stuck. I also love some of the signs I see the Dragons faithful holding up on the hill ('cookin with Gas' was a particular favourite). In terms of the Roosters, there are a couple of players in their squad I am very fond of - especially RTS and Adidan Guerra.
Mary Konstantopoulos
Expert
Jay C, you leave Jeff Robson alone!! No, in all seriousness, Robson performs best when he has a creative partner who can take the pressure off him. He is a very good support player (that's why he looked so good next to Todd Carney).
Charles NSW
Guest
Jack Bird would have put a lot of pressure in the halves of the Dragons to perform. One that got away there!
lmm040183
Guest
MK, I too love those small Heighington-like shows of team spirit. One of my favourite moments as a fan was when Penrith defeated Melbourne at home 2 seasons ago, when the players walked off the field at halftime the entire grandstand on the other side of the field standing, clapping and waving their flags as the Panthers left the field. Warm and fuzzy indeed. I love nothing more than genuine displays of emotion after the scoring of a try, or a good old fashioned slap on the back after a big hit. And that Jack Bird, just wow. This kid impressed me hugely yesterday. No doubt a future superstar. Natural talent and confidence just ooze from him. I can't believe the incompetence from the Dragons in letting him go. He is a local junior and a rookie, so it's not like he was asking big dollars. Absolutely baffling.
The eye
Guest
That's the first time all year I've felt reasonably good about the Sharkies chances going into the game..because it's the 1st time he's put the best team on the field..I don't want Barba back,keep him in the stand .. Ref didn't cost the chooks the win,they murdered themselves...I can't remember Cordener or Guerra breaking the line all year..weird how the halves were perfect one week and absolutely awful the next..
Jack
Guest
Up Up Cronulla even tho i am a Canberra Raiders fan. I cant understand however why you have the softspot for the roosters, they have the best lineup ion the NRL,there is no way they are under the salary cap, and even with their great team where basically every player is an origin or international player they struggle to get 10k to their games. pathetic.
jamesb
Guest
Mary I have a soft spot for a few teams as well. Parramatta, Cronulla, Souths, Cowboys and the Warriors. Previously, it was the North Sydney Bears. The common theme with all of those sides is the lack of success they have all endured. Yes, Souths finally won again last year, but it was good to see a club, coming back from dead, doing well. Parra had a glorious time in the eighties but have been slim pickings ever since. I started following league in the late eighties, hence missing out on seeing Parras winning era. I love the way the Warriors play, while the Cows have been unlucky with the refs in finals footy. As for Cronulla, I should hate them, but I do want to see them do well. Mary, any particular reason why do you have a soft spot for the Roosters and the Dragons?
SpongeBob
Guest
Barba would probably be a good utility but he's on $500,000 odd? Needs to be making an impact. Dud buy for the Broncos and worse from the Sharks, he couldn't play #6 the year before so how was he going to turn it around? They already have a decent Fullback in Gordon, and Holmes as well. If Bird plays anywhere the level of near yesterday I can't see where Barba fits in the side.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
It was a great win for the Sharks, congrats'. The dropped ball killed the Roosters though, it eas like one team had glue on their hands and the other used oil. Combined with a poor kicking game and the chooks were cooked. I did notice not once was a kicker taken out late, good job. See you can put pressure on the kicker without belting him after the ball is gone. Apart from the result destroying my tips this round, it was great to see an underachiever get one over the top dog. The cap must be working. For one game at least.
SpongeBob
Guest
Exactly. Though I don't agree on contentious penalties other than the drop ball/strips, and the Ennis call was wrong however it did look bad realtime. It was more what wasn't called. Sharks were often off the line early (guy standing up doesn't mean you can start running up) but not 1 penalty, a number of tackles from an un square marker no penalty, Fiftas blatant flop no penalty, and every contested bomb was illegally blocked, no penalty. Not 1 bomb was touched by the Roosters in the whole game, TVS was knocked over twice, replays showing the defender looking over his shoulder and changing his line, just blatant. Not 1 forward pass called against the Sharks, in this day and age of flat runners? Roosters scored two tries which were called back, they spotted those forwards though... The rest takes care of itself from that point, unless it's the Knights. Roosters were hopeless on the most part and didn't deserve to win, let's be clear on that. If Souths, Roosters, Broncos, Storm were the Sharks yesterday though would be pages of complaints. Pages. Souths had 1 questionable call and look how that turned out! There's got to be an investigation! ;)
Lachlan
Guest
Even though the Sharks were the better side yesterday they had a lot of highly contentious penalties, knock ons and forward passes go their their way which could easily have made a difference had they gone the other way.