Unlike rivals North Queensland, Cronulla say they have embraced the pressure to finally break their premiership drought ahead of Saturday night’s NRL knockout semi-final in Townsville.
As Cowboys coach Paul Green tried to relieve expectation on his title-less team in league-crazy Townsville on Friday, Sharks coach Shane Flanagan urged his side to “dare to dream”.
Flanagan does not have to be reminded that Cronulla have never won a title in their 49-year history despite three grand-final appearances.
They last made a season decider (Super League) in 1997 – the longest grand final drought besides Canberra (1994).
Yet, Flanagan didn’t flinch on Friday when the elephant in the room was addressed.
“I think we need to embrace it,” he said.
“We can’t ignore that it’s out there that the club hasn’t won a premiership and we’re still in the fight at the moment.
“I think all the boys, it’s in the back of their minds and they talk about it – how good it would be to be the first (Sharks) team to win the premiership?
“There’s two really good teams in front of us that we need to beat … but dare to dream.”
In contrast, Green tried to calm his players ahead of a game that had predictably launched another contagious case of finals fever in the league-mad heartland.
Pivot Michael Morgan is still beating himself up over his quiet return from an ankle injury in last week’s 16-12 qualifying-final loss to Brisbane, claiming he did not provide enough support for prized playmaker Johnathan Thurston.
“The players realise how much this means to the community,” Green said.
“We want to put a show on for them.
“But no one needs to put too much pressure on themselves – Johnno (Thurston) included.
“Morgs has blamed himself and that is a load of rubbish.
“It was his first game back. He could have probably contributed a bit more but he’ll be fine.
“If we play close to our best, the result will take care of itself.”
League great Greg Alexander wasn’t so sure, claiming the Cowboys might have peaked too early.
North Queensland won a season-best 17 games this year including a club record 11-match streak.
Alexander does not believe they are likely to win a maiden title 10 years after their sole grand final to date (2005 v Wests Tigers).
He is concerned the Cowboys have won just one game in their past six against top-eight sides.
“They may have already played their best football,” he told Fox Sports.
For the record, North Queensland have won all five finals played in Townsville.
Cronulla – the only team to have beaten the Cowboys twice this year – have never won a playoff outside Sydney.
NORTH QUEENSLAND V CRONULLA KEY FACTS:
* North Queensland have never lost a finals match in Townsville – winning five from five – but, away from 1300Smiles Stadium, they have claimed just three victories in 12 games, losing their past seven
* Cronulla have never won a finals match outside Sydney, losing five from five
* In the Sharks’ only other finals appearance in Townsville, they lost 34-2 to Brisbane in a 1997 major semi-final
* Last year’s wooden spooners Cronulla are the only team to have beaten North Queensland twice this season
Richard Maybury
Guest
Who is Ronald ? Any how, the results prove what I say.
watda
Guest
Good to see the top 4 teams going thru, proves the 1st 8 months aren't a waste..and the best teams move on.
Steve
Guest
Sharkies gone...keep dreaming lol.
Midfielder
Guest
Arguably the best signing of the season in Gorman from WSW to take charge ...
Bob Carr
Guest
It'll be great for Sydney, it'll be great for NSW.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Is that why they have a 8-4 record against top 8 teams Ronald..,
Muzz
Guest
...
Alex L
Roar Rookie
It's a very deliberate ploy by some of the larger clubs (Broncos and Roosters in the main, but other clubs also do it) to try and get the media spinning favorable narratives for them. Anyone who thinks media narratives don't have an impact on what the refs do is about as sharp as a bowling ball.
Muzz
Guest
Rooster Storm 142 Play the balls 141 38 slow 27 80 neutral 83 24 fast 31 Broncos Cowboys 150 Play the Balls 163 24 slow 16 104 neutral 94 22 fast 53
Richard Maybury
Guest
Given the Cowboys hard run last week and assuming an equally tough encounter against the sharks, I think that they will be too exhausted to beat a refreshed storm outfit. The travel won't help them either and if the weather turns bad down there, the game will be over before it starts. Cronulla would stand a better chance but I don't think they will get past the Cowboys . I don't think they have the class.
Richard Maybury
Guest
Stats from last week actually show that the storm v roosters game had the fastest rucks of all games played that weekend. The storm and wrestling is one of those false assertions constantly being peddled but the facts are that they are no worse than anyone else. Consequently refs fairly policing the ruck will have zero impact on the storm's ability to win it.
Richard Maybury
Guest
Sorry Bonza, I have to disagree. The sharks finished on -7 points difference for the season which highlights a huge weakness in their ability to score tries. Last round was against a Souths team who were falling apart. The Sharks haven't faced any real contender yet and tonight will be their undoing.
Muzz
Guest
Stats suggest otherwise BJ with the ruck mostly neutral to fast.
Richard Maybury
Guest
I ave a feeling that it will be a Broncos v Storm Grand Final
Bronco Juggernaut
Guest
The Roosters wrestle just as much as Melbourne. Double standards much, Muzz.
Vivalasvegan
Guest
Yawn...
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Yeah but it's a lottery if they do enforce it.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
He is a star of the future that's for sure. Welcome back home young Val. Too bad we couldn't hold onto you.
david webb
Guest
I don't care who wins as long as the melbourne storm cheats don't
Squidward
Roar Rookie
The future of the NRL The romantic one Valentine Holmes!