Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan has demanded his men undergo an attitude change after suffering a shock NRL loss to the Titans.
Less than a week after warning his team to lift their league-worst completion rate, the Sharks were their worst enemies as they turned the ball in crucial junctures in the defeat.
Despite heading into the match on a four-game winning streak, the defending premiers were ranked last in errors and penalties conceded over the opening seven rounds.
While they improved to finishing 30 of 39 sets against the Titans and remain in the top four, they still managed to give away nine freebies and draw the ire of their coach after the match.
“Our first couple of sets explained why (we lost) – we turned the ball over, no respect for the ball,” Flanagan said.
“Gold Coast have competed all year and we knew that coming here today.
“It’s disappointing because we’re a better football team than we showed today but if you don’t do the fundamentals right in rugby league, that’s what happens.”
Flanagan said Cronulla’s lack of discipline with the ball had been a recurring issue in their performances that has been masked by their strong start to the season.
He denied there needed to be changes to his game, but implored his team to lift their control.
“Sometimes those things are glossed over when you win. Defensively obviously we’ve been good the last two weeks, but we weren’t today. They didn’t score a lot of tries,” he said.
“We don’t need to change our structures, we just need to change our attitude.”
Another worrying trend for Flanagan is his team’s poor results at home this season, with the Titans loss leaving them with just one win from four at Southern Cross Group Stadium.
The Sharks are on the road for the next two weeks before a five-match residency at home sandwiched around a round-13 bye.
“It’s frustrating, especially for our fans that come here every week,” Flanagan said.
“We haven’t been good at home. We need to address it. It’s disappointing because this has been a fortress for us and we need to get back out there. We change our attitude, we will.”
SHARKS SHORTCOMINGS
* 16th in completion rates – 71.2 per cent
* 16th in errors – 12.9 per game
* 16th in penalties conceded – 8.3 per game
Sharkattack
Guest
It is very irritating to have more fear for lower sides than top sides. that's how I feel. Losing at home simply should not be tolerated, when teams go to Melbourne, it is often thought of as going your death, Shark park needs to become like that again. next week, just to show how upside down this comp is, I feel comfortable about playing away at Leichhardt, but less comfortable that it is against a lesser team in the Tigers. the Titans are a team that I know always play the full 80 minutes, with all that personnel back they could make a charge for the 8 now.
Zedman
Roar Rookie
I fail to see what Townsend brings to the Sharks other than poor kicking, missed tackles and terrible decision making. Twice he ran rather than pass to a better positioned Bird, his failure to secure the loose ball resulted in the winning try to the Titans. A better option in the Bird contract fiasco would be move Townsend on and retain Bird at 6, Maloney and Townsend don't gel for mine.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
They missed Lewis and his experience in both the pack and backs.Steadies the defence and helps with the reading of the attack. Both missing yesterday when it counted. Overconfidence against lower place teams ,is a constant bugbear.Bird overplayed too often, and bundled(like that word Rex Mossop?) into touch. Will comment the Titans are the most under rated team in the NRL.In act they were the better side against the Donkeys,the rior week.They lost sole on a dumb kick ,leading to a charge downs the death. When Hayne ,Hiurrell and Proctor get more game time under their belts, watch out. The NRL remains the most unpredictable and competitive of the football codes in this country.The ladder over the years spells it out.This despite incompetence by club managment((Tigers/Eels),the mid season signing debacles.
Albo
Guest
Agree Max ! The Sharks have three key performance players in Lewis, Graham & Maloney. Especially in the attitude department. Seems they need all three on the field to be anywhere near their best. All their home matches have been ordinary performances, whilst lifting their levels for the tough games away ?
kk
Roar Pro
Without Luke Lewis the team under-perform. He has been the BIG difference since transferring from Penrith. Gallen needs Lewis. Cronulla need them both. The contract fever which has gripped the club in recent times would be fatal if his signature is not obtained. Going back to back in 2017 depends upon it. Sloppy ball control may be an indication of certain players in a team lacking fundamental skills in the art of handling the Steeden. In Cronulla's case too many players appeared comfortable with recent contracts put to bed which is different from the attitude exhibited when playing for the re-sign.