Cronulla is the perfect place for out-of-sorts former representative star Tony Williams to re-discover the form and desire that made him one of the NRL’s most feared forwards, according to Sharks skipper Paul Gallen.
Williams will join the premiers next year on a one-year deal after a largely underwhelming four seasons with Canterbury.
The 27-year-old Williams joined the Bulldogs in 2013 as a premiership winner and Australian forward but largely failed to deliver on his big-money move to Belmore.
The Sharks have thrown Williams a lifeline for next year and Gallen believes the 193cm, 120kg former wrecking ball can be a success.
“We all know how big and strong and powerful he can be and I think coming off the bench for us he can do that again,” Gallen said.
“The good thing is he won’t have to come to our club and play big minutes and he won’t have to do a lot of work. We have myself, Wade (Graham) and Luke Lewis who can do that.
“So he can come back and just play that powerful type of game.
“If he can get his head right and get some desire to really want to play well again there is no reason why he can’t get back to where he was two years ago.
“It was only a couple of years ago he was playing for Australia and he was one of the most devastating players in the competition. He just needs to want it a bit more.”
Gallen said the Sharks were also looking to shore up their hooking depth before the start of their premiership defence after the retirement of Michael Ennis.
Former Wests Tigers rake Manaia Cherrington has moved to the Sharks, while Jayden Brailey is considered one of the games most promising No.9s.
But Gallen said the Sharks could use some more experience in the dummy half role ahead of the 2017 season.
“While it would be a big ask for Jayden to play the whole year next year I certainly think he will play first grade,” Gallen said.
“For his size and his age he is one of the strongest kids I have seen in the gym and you watch him on the field and he has all the skills.”
Gallen nominated South Sydney’s Damien Cook and former Penrith star James Segeyaro, now with English club Leeds, as potentially good fits.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Lloyd gets Tim Browne's spot next year at the Bulldogs, I think he's probably patient enough.
AGO74
Guest
I agree with you on personal motivation differences between players etc but I'm also thinking here re ennis as a player in final years as a bulldog was incredibly frustrating. Yet he was outstanding at sharks. If Flanagan plays Williams in a different way to how Hasler did you may (with may being the operative word) see a similar improvement in performance. Sharks have nothing to lose with this as they have very little financial skin in the game with Williams' contract for next year being very small.
MAX
Guest
Aye Aye, eye. Like what you see and write. Signed @ Belmore for 2 more seasons. Always had the gut feeling that it will be Rooster Lloyd for his next club.
Albo
Guest
You can't compare Williams to Ennis as an example of some expected form / attitude reversal ! Ennis was a totally committed & passionate player with every club he played with, and always gave 100% of his ability. Williams has been an occasionally interested player and he very occasionally produced a useful performance with all of the clubs he has played for. Flanagan is no miracle worker ! Williams will do what he has always done , this time with the Sharks, and expectations should be prefaced as such.
The eye
Guest
If I were chasing any fringe Dog first grade forward it would be Lloyd Perret..got nothing but junk minutes this year but won the Terry Lamb and into the NSW Cup side of the year..Knights were chasing,not sure how contented hed be...
The Barry
Roar Guru
Except Williams isn't a complete c..t. ?
Worlds Biggest
Guest
As others have alluded to, it seems to be a low risk incentive based contract. Play for pay, the Sharks need to get younger in the forwards. If he can turn it around then great move by both parties. Worth a crack.
Mushi
Guest
Wow the captain of the team is upbeat about the new recruit! In other breaking news the sky looks blue... Has anyone ever gone "really? Why the firetruck did we do that."
AGO74
Guest
The more I think about this the more I think he will do well - and by this, I think to the ennis example and how he became reborn under Flanagan after the straight jacket of Hasler. Tony Williams 4 year tenure at belmore has coincided with 4 of the most frustrating years for the Bulldogs (September 2014 run to the grand final aside).
AGO74
Guest
The sharks may potentially be able to avoid this by virtue of senior players retiring like Gallen Lewis and heighnington retiring at end of year and other players then coming through - capewell, paulo and if he can find his potential - tony Williams.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nick Kyrgios of the NRL then eh?
AGO74
Guest
And if you read elsewhere it is basically a pay as you play contract. There is no real risk here for Cronulla. I do laugh though that the sharks finally win a comp and it's now assumed that one of the poorest clubs in the comp are rorting the cap....
Dutski
Roar Guru
I think he's put on a few kgs sice running around on the wing, Bugs. Mind you, at times he tackles like a winger! But yeah, his best work was when he was on the wing for Manly. It's funny - when he was on the wing taking the occasional forward hit ups it was a bonus. When as a forward he takes the occasional hit up he's lazy! When he winds up he is hard to stop, no doubt about it. I know I wouldn't want to try and tackle him.
Bugs
Guest
He grew up a winger, and was poached (by Manly) from Parramatta as a winger... Put him back on the wing! Imagine that running at a broken line on kick-return. Or one-on-one with the opposition winger 5m out from the tryline!
Dutski
Roar Guru
HArd to believe Williams is only 27. Feels like he's been around for ever. Hard to know what kind of role he will play at the Sharks. Doesn't have the motor to play in the middle and you couldn't see him pushing out any of their existing backrow. If Flanno can get the man firing he's a better coach than I thought. I'm predicting a mid year release to England after a few bench cameos and a handful of reserve grade hitouts.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Good luck to T-Rex. It was a frustrating tenure at the Bulldogs. Every now and then we'd get a glimpse of his ability but he just couldn't deliver consistently. I've always had the feeling that he doesn't love footy. You rarely see him getting fired up and playing with passion. While it would stick in the craw to see him firing regularly for the Sharks, he is an entertaining player to watch when he's at his best.
ferret
Guest
Spot on Dane. At the beginning of the year I thought the Sharks had a couple too many old forwards, that would fade as the season progressed. But full credit to Flanno. He had Prior, Heighington, Gallen and Lewis playing their best footy in years throughout the entire season with no drop off comes finals time. Plus Barba rediscovered his mojo. If anyone can re-animate the T-Rex it's Flanno.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
That's the thing with winning the competition. All these players that were nobodies 12-18months ago seem like megastars now because they are but are still on their old contracts. Although it catches up. Ask Souths and Roosters
Luke
Guest
You are correct crash. Its not like any senior players, like say Michael Ennis, are retiring...
Krash
Guest
Good to see the Sharks still have an unlimited salary cap...