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The defending Premiers couldn’t manage to do what no side has done since 1993, and that is win back-to-back titles, bowing out in the first week of the finals.
The Sharks never quite played with the same quality and intensity they had forged in 2016. However, they did manage a respectable fifth place finish with a side that threatened, but never quite played consistently enough, to mount a title challenge.
Season Finish – Exited first Week of Finals (Regular Season fifth, 14 Wins, 10 Losses, 476 Points Scored, 407 Points Against)
Season Ranking 7/10 – I think the Sharks did pretty well this season, in a year in which it’s easy to lose focus and implode after the 50-year drought was ended in stunning fashion last year. The team looked motivated most weeks, and played physically.
However, their discipline and ball control let them down on too many occasions. While the Sharks proved they could lift their game with a number of impressive road victories, their home form was poor, and they often fell into the trap of playing to the level of their opposition.
They dropped their guard too many times when they were favourites and, eventually, the Cowboys pulled their pants down in the first week of the finals, in a game the Sharks found a way to lose, despite Shane Flanagan’s protests.
Coach rating – 7/10 (Shane Flanagan) – I thought Shane Flanagan did a good job this year, with a team that had lost key players in their spine in Ben Barba and Michael Ennis.
However, he couldn’t quite find the answers in attack, as the Sharks averaged under 20 points per game and often looked clunky and disorganised.
They rarely lacked hunger, as displayed by the side conceding around just 17 points per game this season. However, he couldn’t quite make them play with that same manic intensity as was the case in 2016. The side rarely rolled over and, while they didn’t execute particularly well in attack, I thought they kept their identity as a tough footy team that wouldn’t be stood over.
The coach will have to find a way, though, to get his side making fewer errors, and giving away fewer penalties, which punctuated their game this season. Flanagan seems a very popular coach among his players; however he may need to make some tough calls on some veterans over the next 12 months as the Sharks look to regenerate, while remaining near the top.
Best Win – Sydney Roosters 12 Cronulla Sharks 44 – I picked this game as the Sharks dominated it from start to finish, against a top quality opponent in the Roosters.
The Sharks really played some sparkling football, hitting the Roosters hard early, and never letting their foot off the throat. While the Sharks won 14 games this season, none were as convincing and devastating as this.
Worst Loss – Round 25 – Cronulla Sharks 14 Sydney Roosters 16 – Now this was nowhere near the Sharks’ worst loss in terms of quality of performance. However, it was their most costly loss of the year. The defeat cost them a Top four position, which lost them that crucial double bite of the cherry.
Having levelled the score, and with Luke Keary in the sin bin for the final ten minutes, the Sharks ought to have won this game, but a costly penalty at the death saw the two points slip through their fingers.
Best Player – Paul Gallen – I gave consideration to Jayden Brailey in his debut season, and Luke Lewis the veteran who was excellent once again. However, I thought no one was as consistent as Gallen. At 36 years of age, Gallen is playing some of the best football of his career despite what some of his detractors will say. Without the burden of Origin on the body, Gallen looked rejuvenated, missing just one game this season and averaging over 170 metres per game.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
He really earned another contract at his beloved Sharks and, while he isn’t the most popular player outside of Cronulla, he really is captain, leader, legend in the Shire.
Most Disappointing Player – James Maloney – I have been a huge fan of James Maloney over the years, however he struggled to find anywhere near his best form in 2017. He was by far the most penalised player in the competition, and had a high error rate. I’m not quite sure whether age has caught up with him, or whether his pleas for an upgraded contract were a distraction, however he definitely wasn’t anywhere near his best.
While his goal kicking remained vital, his general play was underwhelming and he was targeted in defence by some of the stronger sides. I wouldn’t write off Maloney bouncing back last year however he isn’t getting any younger.
2018 Prospects – I have some concerns given this is a team that is ageing a bit and some players might be about to tip over that edge of becoming liabilities. However, having added Josh Dugan, the Sharks still have a quality and experienced roster that is a Top 8 squad on paper.
I still think they need to either get more out of Valentine Holmes at fullback, or find a fullback that can offer them something a bit more dynamic like Barber did at his best. While this team won’t be stood over, they will need to get back to averaging over 20 points a game next year if they want to be in the Premiership conversation.
My gut feeling is they are more likely to go backwards than forwards however they still retain a strong core on paper.
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