It’s been 48 years in the top grade for the Sharks, and while they’ve amassed an extensive back catalogue of accomplishments, it’s mostly stuff you keep in the attic like midweek trophies, preliminary finals and despair.
You can liken their existence to that of a fringe musical act. They’ve flogged out their guts to only break through for platinum sales in Serbia and a handful of ARIA nominations in peculiar categories, when all they’ve ever wanted is one measly little Grammy.
That’s why Cronulla’s steady progress to becoming a genuine top four team this year may seem unremarkable to most, but to them, they’ve shot up the charts like a bullet that’s stopped sipping its own wee.
Expectation abounds in the Shire that coach Shane Flanagan has finally assembled a band with the potential to pocket the industry award they’ve dodged so capably they’ve elevated it to an artform.
There’s the usual grizzly forward pack, all bruised and hissing like a rumbling tribute to the melon of captain Paul Gallen, but what’s different this year is an attacking arsenal with a serious competency to breach the peace.
Ben Barba, James Maloney, Chad Townsend, Jack Bird and Valentine Holmes are some of the names in a backline that’s smoother than a Laramie and twice as deadly, an offence that provides the team with more explosive electricity than Nu Brown’s phone.
Yes, there’s no doubt that Flanagan has built the finest Sharks outfit in recent memory. Unfortunately, his timing couldn’t be any worse.
Just as he builds a squad capable of repaying the faith of the patient people of Sutherland and surrounding areas, along comes those greedy supergroups from Brisbane and North Queensland.
While Flanagan’s is undoubtedly a fine assembly of men that can bring an audience to its feet, overcoming one of these two for a grand final berth will be like a Celine Dion power ballad being toppled off the top spot by unsigned grunge.
I’ll put my pair on the line and state Cronulla is definitely a top four team this year. But while ever the Broncos and Cowboys draw breath, they are definitely not top two.
And while the Sharks are in with a ripping chance to topple the Broncos this Saturday night at home, can anyone head to Queensland and win a preliminary final?
After the way last year’s grand finalists are treating their guests at home, I’d say that’s a big, plump negatory.
Frankly, Brisbane and North Queensland have grown into heinous hosts this year. In their own homes, they are outscoring teams gratuitously, a selfish practice in these modern times when we should be teaching our kids generosity and compassion.
Cronulla will make it there, but after that, they won’t make it anywhere. Which is a shame, firstly because their people deserve closure, and secondly, because this is almost the last chance saloon before their forwards age and Michael Ennis develops incapacitating laryngitis.
Nevertheless, despite more impending failure, this has been another impressive building block by Flanagan.
Sure, when his side was caught injecting drugs on his watch, I suspected he was one of those blokes who loves a bad idea. But to his credit, he wasted no time crying over spilt Thymosin and set about building a dream that could be dashed like so many before him.
If he was around at any other time other than the Great Queensland Domination of today, he could’ve pulled this off to become one of the great Shire icons like Elle MacPherson, the Wanda Sand Dunes and tatts of the Southern Cross.
They may do it next year, but they probably won’t.
Lucky their fans are used to it.
AnuddaMuddafarker
Guest
As a long suffering Shark, I think this is the best team i have seen them assemble...better than 1999 in that it is more balanced with a better forward pack and can now find the stripe...FINALLY !!!!! I am hoping they haven't peaked...they need to consider that whilst they are playing entertaining footy (at last) and are now watchable, they are still allowing opposition back into games that they need to put to bed. They also SHOULD NOT celebrate too early. October is a long way off, need to get through Origin, need to get through injury times...the time when your depth gets tested. I am enjoying watching the Sharks for the first time in years...but I want to enjoy them regularly. The presence of the Cowboys and the Broncos is good, it means they know what they have to overcome. Not to mention the Eels !!!!
Wow
Guest
I also think the Sharks will win but it's because Blairs out. There's a lot to like about the Sharks this year. Maloney was the perfect buy for them. He's intelligent, cheeky, well liked and respected so he won't allow Gallen or Ennis to over step there's roles. He seems to settle them down by taking complete ownership of the backline. The result has all 3 playing terrific footy. Ben barba is seeing his best season since 2012 but I'm far from sold. He's still taking some soft options. I believe Holmes has far more to offer at fullback but may take 5-10 games to settle properly. Barba has done some clever ball playing this year but Holmes needs to be allowed to develop as he has far more long term upside. Taking him from the wing weakens a position so for the time being barba at fullback works. I will be surprised if he has much impact against the Broncos however and if the Sharks get home it will be on the back of Ennis and Maloney. I also think Fafita will need to change his game for them to have a real chance at the business end. He can be an unstoppable bully in some games but against better packs this turns into frustration far to quickly and he becomes a liability as well as having his frustration rub off on his team mates. The pack is great but there's too many volatile players and this will cause them head aches against the top sides. To win the big games you need to keep your head and I can't see the Sharks pack being capable of doing that. Imo the Sharks chances of winning a gf this year were hurt when Flanagan and the CEO publicly put pressure on him to retire from rep footy and he defied them. The Sharks could have 4 players away for origin and the impact of Gallen's disregard for authority will come to light. You can have 1 or 2 renegades in a premiership side but the Sharks have 3 absolute loose canons in Fafita, Ennis and Gallen. Happy to be proven wrong though because the Sharks side featuring tewera nikau, Peachy, Rogers, Et has given me a long lasting soft spot for the boys from shark park.
MOT
Guest
Sundays game against the Broncs at the Park will be interesting. Personally I think the Sharks will win, and should also start as favourites against the Cows down in the Shire. I reject the notion that the Sharks dont play exciting football. It is their flamboyant backline plays that get tries, and two of the most influential forwards in Gallan and Andrew Fifita that get yards. Malony to Townsend to Bird to Holmes is one of the avenues for tries- what other team can boast that Half-5/8-Centre-Wing lineup? Thow a resurgent Barba in there to boot and I'd be curious as to which team outside of the Cowboys (and maybe Eels) can match the Sharks for flair? And to the goofball earlier- the Sharks not playing on a Friday has nothing to do with their brand of football, and everything to do with their small supporter base and the fact that they were not expected to be a genuine title contenders. Up up
Neville Neville
Guest
Or Adam 'on bikes' Dykes
Roostermark
Guest
Yeah I also hate their spoiler/grub style of play as it's awful to watch as well as them playing for penalties the whole match get's real tedious. Then there's Ennis who deserves a special mention on his own as to having to be the biggest trouble maker in the NRL.
Michael Keeffe
Roar Guru
True
Vortex
Guest
Preview this weekend.
up up cronulla
Guest
Paul franze now is the manager of the gym i train at top bloke, and is still a massive sharks supporter, i love hearing his stories!
Squidward
Roar Rookie
McKenna played for Australia! And Queensland And came 3rd that season
Squidward
Roar Rookie
50th season but not 50th year. They're celebrating next year I've heard
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Chris "beetroot" Beattie
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Ungrateful head
Big J
Guest
Dane, two things, one how are the Broncos and Cowboys greedy they have only won one premership between them in the last ten years, yet again like last year I need to educate you about qlders (if anything the Storm is greedy, five grand finals and three premerships in ten years no surprise as they are full of qlders) and Celine Dion hasnt had a hit in years ( you need better references), having sad that the sharkies have just a much chance as anybody else ( like last year the storm had a shocker v the cows and the cows won so it can will and does happen) I think I can see Harold holt off in the distance.
Steven Nicholls
Roar Rookie
I believe it will be a sharks, broncos, GF.
Kris Swales
Expert
Dan Stains!
Red Dog
Guest
A lot of people said the Cronulla riots were always goin to happen , it was just a case of when . I'm afraid the same theory can't be applied to a Cronulla premiership .
The RiffMarn Stew Moses
Roar Guru
I think the two games Penrith played against Brisbane & North Qld were also high quality games - btw aren't the Sharks in their 50th year now?
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
You need a crystal ball to see the future - not a Vortex. Should your moniker be in reference to the optical company, then I will raise you a Tasco.
Crank Yanker
Guest
I wouldn't say that. They are playing similarly to last season when they went on that winning streak. Then again, you need to put more effort in knowing that every team will be firing up against you.
Crank Yanker
Guest
Gambler's fallacy Jack. They'll be all right.