The Sharks may have been facing a Newcastle side on ‘one of those days’ on Sunday, but their 15-week winning streak is remarkable. It shows just how a club can get a season, and a roster, perfectly right.
I’m thinking back to a couple of weeks ago, when they were missing Wade Graham, Paul Gallen, Andrew Fifita and James Maloney, against the Penrith Panthers. They didn’t have their Origin players, but gee they were impressive that day.
When other teams in the competition have five players out for any reason, key players at that, the attack can get clunky.
The Sharks’ side playing that day looked like they’d been playing together all year. Whatever the style that they’ve put together is, they’re currently doing it on automatic. That’s a great sign.
There are a number of reasons they’ve been so successful, but they way they’ve grown the roster is impressive. Cronulla have had a decent team for the past few seasons, but each year they’ve made targeted purchases in crucial positions. They’ve rotated their group, and improved their squad which is an important part in continually building.
Mick Ennis was a big one. Getting a better and more mature Chad Townsend back after a couple of years from the Warriors was a good buy. James Maloney’s success at every club he’s been to speaks for itself.
I coached James when he was first breaking into first grade at the Warriors. Behind a number of excellent players at the Storm in 2009, we signed him at the Warriors in 2010. He had been a great reserve grade player, and won a couple of comps. He’d been around but hadn’t got a crack.
With James playing more than just a supporting role, we made the semis both years he was at the club, and the grand final in 2011.
He’s exactly as he looks – a relaxed and unassuming guy off the field (if not slightly annoying), but competes exceptionally hard on it. It’s no surprise that wherever he’s gone the club’s gone well; the Roosters and the Sharks also being great examples.
Ben Barba probably wasn’t exactly what the Sharks were looking for when they first signed him, but he’s now playing his best football. That’s a huge bonus, and means the balance of their roster is now perfect.
A good cross-section of older guys mixed with young, fast backs is an ideal mix judging by the way they’re going on the field.
Well-documented setbacks for the entire club may have hardened up the organisation. There’s no doubt it’s made the club run better, and the Sharks have everything functioning at the front and back of its house. They had a packed crowd on the weekend when they were playing the bottom-of-the-ladder Knights.
Much praise goes to the coach when a team goes well, and the Sharks’ boss certainly deserves plenty. I worked with Shane when I first got into coaching at the Roosters. He coached the undefeated under 20s of 2004, and stayed under Ricky Stuart at the Sharks until he got his chance as a head coach.
It’s clear that not only can he coach, but he has also shown his skill in roster building over his tenure in the Shire.
This roster has been evolving for the past five years. Paul Gallen and a few other are still there, but Flanno has rotated the squad, adding couple of players each year, to tailor it get to the team he wants.
If you look at the likes of Gerard Beale, Sosaia Feki, Ben Barba, James Maloney, Jack Bird, Valentine Holmes; none of them have been there more than a few years
and after a long and successful NRL career Mick Ennis is playing his best football right now. Paul Gallen is getting close to the end, and Luke Lewis and other guys mightn’t have lots of years left, but this side should be a premiership chance again in the coming years.
Depending on who they can replace those kinds of guys with, the Sharks could be setting themselves up for three years at the top.
They’ve given themselves every chance.
Jacko
Guest
He still had over a year to run on his contract and won 1 more game than he lost
maximillian
Guest
Im sure he left because the Panthers offered him a 3 year deal, which the Warriors wouldn't match? The Warriors haven't made the finals since Ivan left & he had 5 good seasons out of the 6 he was there. That's far better than anyone since & he achieved that with arguably a weaker roster than the current 1.
Con Scortis
Roar Guru
Matt Lendl?
Patrick Effeney
Editor
Great comment.
Patrick Effeney
Editor
We have two Clearys now, with Matt and Ivan. I was thinking Lendl - going hard on the corny factor.
Jacko
Guest
No thanks Max. He chose to leave while still under contract ( asked for release) so should never be considered again but if Im wrong Im sure Ivan can tell us that.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Good to see you on board Ivan. The Sharks for the first time in ages seem from an outsider's perspective ,a happy and contented group.You see them around Cronulla full of smiles ,as very day is a sunny day. The experience of Gallen,Lewis,Ennis,Heighington has rubbed off on the lesser lights in the forwards ,such that if they are out the others fill the void. The talented backs have really not had the "spine" performing as cut til this year,and the addition of Maloney and the much improved Townsend has given the backs far more ball and space.To such an extent when Maloney played SOO the backs continues to get the ball at the right time ,in the right places.Barba;s form has been a revelation this year and he has been teh real spark to set the backs alight. My real concern is their propensity to give away silly penalties,to overdo the attack and lose the ball as they did against the Knights. Do that against the Cowboys or Storm,and ones bottom will get spanked big time.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Nicely said Pomoz. Well done.
Tom Rock
Expert
Solid debut in the red and white. Welcome aboard.
planko
Guest
Whilst I agree with you Ivan I am a little concerned that this team will implode next season. It is currently the perfect blend of youth experience etc etc. Next year Ennis gone. Luke Lewis a brilliant but is going to be starting to slide or be gone as well. Gallen is injured more and more so he will struggle to get over the line alot next year or retire himself. That is 600 to 700 games of experience gone. I just hope for sharks fan that they get up this year. It is there year and they are hard to come by.
Con Scortis
Roar Guru
I like it Squid!!
Pomoz
Roar Rookie
Corrective text gets you every time. SOI not SIV. Doh!
Pomoz
Roar Rookie
I was scathing of the way Flanagan handled the drug crisis, especially his failure to take responsibility, but he deserves praise for putting that behind him. He clearly is a good coach to get the team to this level after the setbacks he has had. He must be made of strong stuff and he obviously knows what makes a good football player because as Ivan has pointed out, he has rotated most of the team he inherited and this team is his own work. BTW, thanks for your time at the Panther's Ivan. I think you have laid the foundations for something special and as a fan and season ticket holder who never got the chance to applaud your efforts when you left, you deserve the highest of praise. It's easy coaching Slater, Smith and Cronk to success, but getting the most out of Ciraldo, Newton, Travis Burns et al, takes some effort (you crazy or what?). Cheers.
AGO74
Guest
This article complements well the the article written by Mary yesterday. It's been a gradual and patient process implemented by (in no particular order) board, CEO and coach. If they can get a competent dummy half to replace Ennis there is no reason sharks can not stay at top for next few years.
Pomoz
Roar Rookie
Brilliant! I hope his son does become so good that name sticks. To be fair, he is SIV (son of Ivan) at the moment but watch this space....
maximillian
Guest
Great article Ivan! Please return to the Warriors as head coach! That is all...
Squidward
Roar Rookie
DON. Dad of Nathan.
Con Scortis
Roar Guru
We need a nickname for Ivan though, Paddy!
Patrick Effeney
Editor
That is correct.
spruce moose
Guest
Just putting it out there Ivan...your son is a rather good footy player. Genetics.