There are more positives than negatives about Cronulla’s win over Brisbane on Sunday, but the biggest consideration for the Sharks has got to be the fact they allowed the Broncos back into the game to the extent where they could have actually won.
It should never have happened and you would very rarely see something like that from Brisbane, or North Queensland, the two teams that met in last year’s grand final and have provided the benchmark so far this season.
Cronulla have got to display the killer instinct in those circumstances.
Even in the modern game, where teams can get on a roll and score points in a hurry, if you lead by 22 points at halftime and you’re a good team – like the Sharks are – the opposition shouldn’t be able to get into a position where it is down by just two and still has a few minutes left to try to win.
If you’ve established such a big lead, particularly at home, and you’ve let that happen then you must have contributed to it, at least to some degree, and the Sharks certainly did that.
They weren’t nearly as good in the second half as they were in the first. There wasn’t the same attention to detail.
Sharks coach Shane Flanagan would have been well aware the Broncos and their coach, Wayne Bennett, weren’t going to take kindly to being down 28-6 at halftime.
He would have known there was going to be a considerable response in the second half and he would have warned his players about that. But, still, it happened. Cronulla still got the win, 30-28, that they deserved overall, but they have got to learn from a game like that.
This wouldn’t be worth talking about if the Sharks weren’t genuine premiership contenders. It would just be considered a glitch in Brisbane’s campaign. But the Sharks are genuine contenders. They’ve got a top side that is more adept at scoring points than Cronulla have been in recent years.
Once they put the foot on the throat they should be able to keep it there. Even against Brisbane, they should at least be able to keep the opposition at a comfortable arm’s length in a situation like that.
Bennett made an interesting observation after the game, when he said the early naming of the Australia side for Friday night’s Test against New Zealand had adversely affected the mentality of some of the Brisbane players chosen and perhaps contributed to the team’s poor first half.
“I’m not making excuses but I was pretty disappointed when they named the team early this week,” Bennett said. “We haven’t done that before and it is just not good, especially guys like Josh McGuire, who has never played for Australia before.
“It only takes three or four guys to be off in this competition and you are under pressure. That’s not the reason we lost but it is part of the fact. I kept the Australian and Kiwi players back (after training) yesterday and I told them because I knew what was going on with them.
“It is not good policy. They would rather find out tonight.”
Safe to say Cronulla captain Paul Gallen wasn’t thinking about the Test, even though he was selected as well, otherwise he may not have dropped his forearm into the face of McGuire, who was on his back. The incident obviously has the potential to result in a charge.
The Sharks have seven wins, the same as the first-placed Cowboys, second-placed Broncos and third-placed Melbourne. But they’ve still got to become more ruthless. Unlike those three other teams, they don’t know what it’s like to at least make the grand final in recent years.
Win premierships is, of course, something the Sharks have never done, but they’ve got a shot at it this year. Finishing fellow top teams off in style when they’ve got the chance will help build the confidence and self-belief they’re going to need in the finals.
Les Boyd's Elbow
Guest
Or it could just as likely be Barba, Maloney, Townsend or Holmes. It seems as though you guys are saying the only thing that can stop the Cowboys and Broncos atm are injuries. If you're hoping to win the comp by banking on injuries then you're in trouble.
Michael l
Guest
Sharks have a good enough side this year to know not to get ahead of themselves particularly with lots of senior players with loads of experience. Even with the games that they have won the players know that they haven't played the best of their ability. They will lose a couple of games here and there from now till September but I don't think they have peaked.
Vortex
Guest
I agree. The premiership isn't won in May. Come September Brisbane will step up another gear. Sharks barely won yesterday, They let Broncos score 22 points in second half. If I was a Sharks supporter I wouldn't be content with what i saw from them yesterday. No point getting a big lead if you aren't going to defend it. Broncos showed their calls in second half, and why they are still the premiership favorites. I'm happy with what i saw in second half, especially with McCullough and Blair missing. Nikorima needs to start. Waddell can't pass the ball backwards.
Bill Blazejowski
Roar Rookie
Have been a Sharks fan since the mid eighties and rarely seen them complete a full eighty minutes. It is very, very frustrating to watch them get a lead then let it fritter away. In saying that, I do believe the Broncos were piggy backed by some soft penalties in the second half and then of course there was the call from the bunker late in the game for a non existent shoulder charge. I like the mix of players they club have put together but who knows if they will rid themselves of the chokers tag if they do indeed get to September and semi final football.
Muzz
Guest
Flanno may be the weakest link. I think he's a good coach. Time will tell if he's a great coach.
Brian
Guest
As a Broncos supporter, I think us losing that game will be a blessing in the long run. NQ have had an unbelievable run with injuries, so their form should be of no surprise, but I do worry that the Sharks have peaked early.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Lol good stuff parrafan ?
Michael l
Guest
It's only round 9 I don't think the Sharks needed to go all in after all as it's still early in the season and given that they were up 28-6 it's understandable that they slacked off. If there was more on the line than 2 competition points I don't think they would have otherwise.
Big J
Guest
Remember it's just a mad thoery but there has been a couple of cases where you could argue that the nrl has favoured a certain team for the gf ( with dodgy calls on the night or the bulid up for the game) for example Bulldogs 04, Broncos 06 manly 08 and even the bunnies in 14 but once again only my thoughts. As for the Cowboys they are yet to be tested, well the real test well come during origin time as it always does but come round 26 that when the real test begins. I believe it will be a rematch between Cowboys and Broncos this year, based on history it's the most likely outcome. And yes storm would would of won with smith in 08
eagleJack
Roar Guru
So your reasoning for the Storm not winning in 2008 is because the NRL didn't want it? Wow. Ignore the fact it was Smith's second grapple tackle charge for the year, and so was on 93 points. Ignore that Sam Thaiday refused to join him at the judiciary such was the ferocity of the tackle. Ignore when asked by the prosecutor at the judiciary that he attacked Thaiday's head Smith responded "that's right". No doubt Smith would have made a difference. But 40 points? Tough to say. To win a premiership a lot needs to go your way. That can be in relation to injuries or even suspensions at critical times. The Cowboys are yet to be tested in that area but it will happen. We haven't even reached Rd 10 yet.
Big J
Guest
They didn't have Cameron smith for that game and according to the new rumours manly were on performance enhancers ( which I even think will be bs). Plus I'll through in one of my wild theories that the nrl didn't want a melbourne team winning the century cups do that's why smith was suspended
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Storm, of course. Even with one of the best rosters ever seen, they couldn't manage to go back-to-back in 08.
Big J
Guest
Millions over the cap to whom are you referring ej? Storm? Broncos? Cowboys? Please explain?
AGO74
Guest
You could probably have said the same thing about Paul Green this time last year. I think having Steve Price as Flanagan's assistant is a big help and influence. Price was very influential at the Dragons when they won their premiership. Bennett rated him highly - and yes, he did not succeed as head coach after getting it but right now he is supporting Flanagan in the role that he is best at i.e. Assistant coach.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Of course they will be going for it. Just as every premiership team of the past 20 odd years has. But it's tough. They have to lift every week as the hunted. And while they say they are hungry, and feel they are hungry, chasing that first premiership is an enormous motivating factor. Desperation can kick in to get them over the line. Will that definitely be there now? You say yes. They say yes. But you only have to be off 1% for it not to be. They look good now. Very good in fact. But it's Rd 9 and we haven't hit the rep period where an unprecedented number of Cowboys will be involved. Add that to the trip to England earlier in the year and it all adds up. Unwanted injuries can occur in the latter part of a season as the difficulty of the task at hand mounts. Every year we hear why the current defending premiers are different. Each time what is said makes sense. But it's a very long season, and there's a reason why some of the best teams of the modern era haven't managed it. Even when millions over the cap.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
There was a huge difference in penalties and territory in the second half, all the Broncos way. As well, one try they scored has normally been ruled an obstruction but in this case was allowed to pass muster. Some great defence from the Sharks. They do look premiership material. Now if we can get a 3.00 pm start fro the GF.
Greg
Guest
Flanno is good, he's increased the Sharks position on the ladder every year he has been the coach. He's also made the finals for the past 3 straight years he's been the coach......the year he was stood down they got the spoon.
Big J
Guest
Cowboys won't have the hunger, are you kidding yourself???? the only thing better than one grand final win is five grand final wins, the Cowboys look better than ever and have a point to prove that last year was just a fluke trust me they'll be going for back to back. Turbo that's twice now I pulled you up on a comment, try not to make a habit of it.
steve
Guest
I think its pretty easy to see the Broncos weren't on for the first half, as they weren't on for the second half against the Panthers. Shows how important McCullough and Blair are to the Broncos. Missed these two massively yesterday, they are the barometer for the Broncos defensively through the middle, especially defending their own line. The Sharks played well, and the Sharks are a good team, but they are a level below the Cowboys and Broncos.
JVGO
Guest
It was simply a brilliantly plotted second half to convince Bennet and the Broncs that they are unvincible which they are clearly not. Meanwhile the Sharkies are still not taken seriously. Perfect scenario.