The Sharks started 2017 well, generating talk of back-to-back premierships, but all caught up with them – and it’s about how you finish in this competition.
Cronulla were unable to jag a spot in the top four, which proved costly indeed, as they were stunned by the eighth-placed Cowboys, who had limped into the finals.
They could grind away, and get the wood over some lowly teams, but in the big moments they got negative and played dour football.
The final against North Queensland was punctuated by this sort of play – the Sharks jagged some fortuitous tries but never looked likely. They seemed to be playing for penalties, or looking for the easy way to get something happening.
Shane Flanagan was bitter on the refereeing but the truth was his undisciplined and uninspired team looked lethargic and ready for Mad Monday.
How does their squad rate?
There has been plenty of high-profile movement in the Shire over the last year or so.
James Maloney was said to be unhappy with the money he was on and has gone to the Panthers. In his place, ex-Panthers skipper Matt Moylan comes to Cronulla.
Jack Bird signed a rich deal with the Broncos midway through last season, to be somewhat replaced by Josh Dugan.
The forwards are settled, tough and experienced. Paul Gallen, Luke Lewis, Wade Graham, Matt Prior, Andrew Fifita and Jayson Bukuya remain from their grand final winning side. They may be an ageing pack, but that shouldn’t matter this season.
Jayden Brailey made his debut last year, and was impressive. There is depth in the hooking role too, we haven’t seen the best of James Segeyaro in some time but he can be a factor if he can get into some form.
The conjecture is in the backs. They have a good deal of depth in Dugan, Val Holmes, Aaron Gray, Kurt Capewell, Ricky Leutele and Sosaia Feki.
The talk at the moment is that Moylan will play five-eighth alongside Chad Townsend. While plenty of people have always said Moylan would be good at five-eighth he has made a pretty solid career to date of fullback.
Looking over both Holmes and Dugan as prospects for the fullback role, neither offer what Moylan does in attack. They are strong runners, but can offer that elsewhere.
Holmes had a far better season in 2016 from the wing. Dugan has played centre for Australia and while he might have ambitions to play custodian, he just doesn’t provide enough from the back.
If Moylan does play in the halves, will he and Townsend have the tactical game to match it with the best? Moylan has always been a player who chimes in. He is classy but has never controlled a game. Townsend has always been a good foil, but never a dominant playmaker.
Putting Moylan at five-eighth is perhaps weakening a strength to strengthen a weakness. Cronulla have other options in the halves.
Trent Hodkinson has been recruited over the off-season and, in the right team, he has proven he can do a job. There is an added bonus of his goal-kicking to consider too.
Then there is Kyle Flanagan, who is a chance of first grade if things aren’t working early.
Ins
Josh Dugan (Dragons – 2021), Aaron Gray (Rabbitohs – 2019), Matt Moylan (Panthers – 2021), Ava Seumanufagai (Wests Tigers – 2019), Braden Uele (Cowboys – 2019), Scott Sorensen (Raiders – 2019), Trent Hodkinson (Knights – 2018)
Outs
Jack Bird (Broncos), James Maloney (Panthers), Gerard Beale (Warriors), Fa’amanu Brown (Bulldogs), Chris Heighington (Knights), Jeremy Latimore (Dragons), Daniel Mortimer (Leigh), Jaeman Salmon (Eels), Jordan Drew (Townsville Blackhawks), Sam Tagataese (Broncos), Jayden Walker (released), Tony Williams (Eels).
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Key man
In 2017, Moylan appeared to be trying his best, but nothing could stop the rot that saw the Panthers start the season 2-7. He was also suspended for breaking team protocol.
A switch to five-eighth mid-season seemed to rejuvenate him, he pulled a game out of the fire for the Panthers out in Bathurst, laying on two tries in two minutes against the Raiders. But a hamstring injury saw him miss the pointy end of the season, as rumours grew louder that he had fallen out with Anthony Griffin.
In the end, it was a sad end to Moylan’s career at the foot of the mountains – the young captain, touted as one of the stars who would deliver the side a premiership, going out in acrimonious circumstances.
Now he starts again at the Sharks, almost certainly in the halves. The question is can he step up as a leader, and as a dominant playmaker?
Moylan has been at his best when allowed to play his natural game, popping up in attack as needed. In 2014, when the Panthers finished top four, as well as Moylan was playing, Jamie Soward was running the show. In 2016, when the Panthers ended on fire, it was Nathan Cleary and Peter Wallace contolling the game.
I like the way Moylan plays, but he is not the dominant, experienced half James Maloney was. If the Sharks are to be successful, Moylan might need to become a leader and a dominant half, or concede he is better suited to fullback.
AAP Image/Paul Miller
Where do they need to improve?
Discipline and attack. The Sharks were out of the eight in terms of attack for 2017, but only the Storm had better defence.
It is a testament to the way Cronulla like to play. They have tough and gritty forwards, and can squeeze the life out of a team, but at the end of the season when they needed points over the Cowboys, they seemed frustratingly hard to come by.
Paul Gallen and Andrew Fifita can handle the ball too much in the opposition red zone. The skipper, in particular, has undergone criticism for over-calling the football when his playmakers should be getting it, something that might happen more if his halves aren’t demanding the pill.
Then there is discipline, where Andrew Fifita is up there with the worst. Just as he can win a game, he can lose it with any manner of brain explosion.
Maloney isn’t far off Fifita in terms of discipline, so with his departure should come some improvement.
AAP Image/Joe Castro
Top five clashes
Round 1: Cowboys vs Sharks, 1300 Smiles Stadium, March 9
The Sharks will have plenty of motivation if they truly feel as though they were hard done by in last year’s finals. It doesn’t get much harder in terms of Round 1 and this game will tell us plenty about both sides for 2018.
Round 4: Sharks vs Storm, Southern Cross Group Stadium, March 30
Cronulla have a tough opening month, none tougher than a match-up against the premiers. They have been a part of some memorable games against one another, none more so than the 2016 finale.
Round 6: Dragons vs Sharks, WIN Stadium, April 13
The Dragons welcome home Dugan in the second local derby between the two clubs over the opening six rounds. It’s always a tight tussle between the two and with the added flavour of Dugan’s return, it should be a good one.
Round 7: Sharks vs Panthers, Southern Cross Group Stadium, April 22
Wade Graham, Luke Lewis, James Segeyaro and Matt Moylan are all former Panthers, and they’ll be fired up for this one.
Round 19 Sharks vs Raiders, Southern Cross Group Stadium, July 20
In the early rounds, Cronulla got up in a big way over Canberra, before the Raiders returned the favour late in the season.
How will they go?
Fans aren’t going to like it, but they are going to miss the finals this season. They were painful to watch at the end of last season, and while some new personnel have arrived, we might just be seeing some natural regression after a team wins a premiership.
A lot of the 2016 premiership came down to Michael Ennis and James Maloney – highly experienced, if not always disciplined, play-makers. Tough, uncompromising, they demanded the football when the game was on the line. Are Moylan, Townsend and Brailey going to get the same rein?
Moylan and Townsend won’t cut it as a halves pairing. I can’t see where the game management is going to come from in the side.
There is a lingering issue over fullback, the impact of Ben Barba was certainly missed last season – Holmes is a superstar winger, but an average fullback.
They might be bringing in two NSW representatives Moylan and Dugan, but culturally how good are they for a club? Dugan grabbed his share of headlines last year, while Moylan as club captained deemed it acceptable to take a couple of teammates out after a bad loss.
These guys aren’t kids, they have no excuse at their age, with the money they are on, to be dragging their club into the headlines for the wrong reasons.
The Sharks will be competitive this year, they have too much talent not to be, but without an experienced half they will slip back into that same style of footy that just won’t net them enough wins.
Predicted finish
10th
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
I'd have Holmes on the wing, and Dugan at F/B.And Hodgko in the 17,a decent kicker. Their depth is far greater than for many a year.At worst 6 or 7th,but feel once all the newcomers click, and Flanno allows a bout of liberal play, then the sky's the limit. Maloney was great link in attack, but had his moments in defence which were let us say ,amateur, and tended to give away vital penalties. And they have a young U20 winger graded into first grade.said to be among the fastest in the NRL.They won't be lacking in the speed or attack dept.
Poddy
Guest
I’ve no doubt we will be threatening the top four. We should’ve achieved that last year but for a few lack-lustre efforts. Maloney will be sorely missed but Bird had his head in Brisbane for much of 2017 and Dugan will provide twice the go-forward that Bird did last year. Moylan was unhappy at Penrith at the end (he was their best attacker yet was sitting in the stands -who wouldn’t be unhappy?!) and he’ll love the Shire (who wouldn’t?). He’ll have an outstanding year beside Townsend. I agree Val is better on the wing but am happy to see him given more of a go at full-back. It’s a much more demanding role than in yesteryear and he’s only had the one season there. People need to get off his back. Considering his short tenure in No 1, he’s performed remarkably. GonSharkies!
The Barry
Roar Guru
Fair enough Dex Fifita was =9th in penalties conceded in 2017. Maloney was 1st Graham 4th Lewis = 9th Gallen 16th Giving away penalties was clearly part of the Sharks game plan so they may not all be ‘brain explosions’. I can’t quantify either but I’d still say he wins more than he loses.
14-12
Guest
It's all on the halves. Moylan / Townsend fire, then it's top 4 for the sharkies. If they bomb, I still think they make the 8 but don't threaten the top sides. We know what the forward pack will deliver, and there's plenty of class in the backline. The question mark is those halves. I think Maloney is a massive loss.
Dogs Boddy
Roar Rookie
People seem to forget that a big part of the Sharks win in 2016 was Ben Barba. We missed Ben a lot last year, and while Val is a great winger he is not so flash by himself down the back. For mine I would have Moylan at fullback and Hodgkinson into the halves. He can control a game well and kick goals. He's also a rock in defence. This lets Mat chime in when he needs to, like he excels at, like Benny Barba was doing for us. Stick Val outside Dugan and teach Josh how to pass a ball and we may have a winning combination on our hands. Val may not like it and I can sympathise. My life long dream to play cricket for Australia fell short because it turns out I wasn't in the 1000 best batsmen in the country. Val may crack the top 100 for fullbacks, but certainly not the top 20. I will take a few brain explosions from Fifita if he keeps playing the way he does. Sure he gives up a few penalties, but there are few men harder to stop when he gets a roll on. The trick is to have the good plays outweigh the bad and in general he does that. We have the defence to handle a few penalties, which is lucky, though hopefully we will have a few less this season without Maloney chipping in. It shall be an interesting season but I would be shocked if we are not in the 8.
Albo
Guest
I can't agree with your summation here Jack. I can't see how you can have the Sharks going backwards so many spots from last year with the addition to their ranks of Moylan & Dugan ( for Maloney & Bird). I think both these players are exactly what the Sharks need. Some much needed flair from Moylan, and some solid experience at fullback or centre from Dugan. Both these players best position would be at fullback, but Moylan has played 6 at SOO and Dugan centre for Australia. So the coach has plenty of options. If it were me, I would have Dugan at fullback, Holmes on the wing & Moylan at 6. But I reckon the Sharks are a top centre short, and as such I suspect that Flanagan will keep Holmes at fullback and use Dugan in the centres. They have a solid & very experienced pack, a rapidly developing number 9 in Brayley, and plenty of good juniors coming through ( Katoa , Ramien, etc). I have no doubt that Moylan will add plenty of points to the Sharks attack and I just hope Flanagan gives him the reins to run the show down there. I would have the Sharks well in the 8 and challenging for that 4th spot.
Nat
Roar Guru
10th? It will be tight around that middle road space but Sharks, IMO, are above the average. Tough pack and points out wide but the spine is a concern. Not through lack of talent but experience. They need an Ennis-style old head that gets the ball to where it needs to be, not to the dominant forward who will call it 4x each set. Interested to see how Val goes at the back. How much did he pick up from Billy in their time together because there is some quality FBs in that team and Val has made the wing his own at the highest level. It would be unsatisfactory for them to miss the finals
Nat
Roar Guru
It is very rough to say that any one player wins/loses a match. Should Fifita have run directly at the posts in that last play against the Cowboys and hold he ball - yes. Doesn't guarantee the goal gets kicked though. Moylan gets plenty of wraps for Bathurst but he didn't beat 13 players to put the ball under the posts twice. I read a story a while back about JAC's post try celebrations at Melbourne. To paraphrase, he was told to pull his head in because 12 other players put him the position to score. You thank them before showboating to the camera.
Dexter The Hamster
Guest
TB, on Fifita - its a tough one to quantify, but giving away silly penalties does cost wins. Its the momentum swings during games that can hurt. He tends to give away the stupid penalties more often than most.
Dexter The Hamster
Guest
Jack, I agree with your Key Man being Moylan. My concern is the guy has had issues with discipline (esp off the field), I cant see the culture at the Sharks turning that around. Like I say, its a concern. If he plays to his potential, I see the Sharks as genuine top 4 material. The Val Holmes debate is a tricky one. He signed a contract extension with the understanding that fullback was his role to lose. Now the sharks throw big money at Dugan and Moylan, and even chase Barba. Hard to see Holmes happy back on the wing, and will be cherry ripe for the plucking for any other club looking for a long term FB. Anywho, go Sharkies!!!!
Joe
Roar Rookie
Sharks will be in the 1-5 same as last year. I think they've bought exceptionally well to replace what they've lost. Dugan for Bird, Moylan for Maloney and even Seumanufagai for Tagatese. I also don't think they will have problems in the half with Moylan and Townsend. I think Townsend is underrated...he is a premiership winning halfback and has been around for a while. He has a very good kicking game and has been sharing the team management role for a while. Moylan has been playing 1st grade for a while and Origin as well. Also you left out Katoa who will jag a starting wing spot and looks like an outstanding prospect. I'm calling it...he will be rookie of the year and up there on the try-scorers list. They faded last year because that premiers tag got a bit too much to handle....no such pressure this year.
the Shafe
Guest
Like The Barry, don't agree with some predictions yet enjoying your series. I think you are harsh on the Sharks, they'll be in the 8 and I wouldn't be surprised if they are in the battle with the Cows at the end. Especially if Moylan ends up at fullback and Holmes on the wing. Dugan has some bad press, but he is a top draw centre, hard to stop and defends the line well. Also, if the backs are as above and Hodkinson is in the halves they have one of the best back lines (on paper) in the comp. Add some experienced and hardened forwards (Fifita, Graham, Gallen, Lewis +) and this team will be hard to beat. Curiously, as I thought you were going off last year's ladder in reverse order - I am intrigued why you skipped the Panthers. I wait in anticipation... :)
The Barry
Roar Guru
I don’t agree with a lot of your rankings but enjoying the analysis. A predicted 10th finish will have Sharks fans up in arms. It’s a nice cliche that Fifita will win games but lose them too with brain explosions but are there any / many examples of him losing a game? I’d say he contributes to far many more wins than losses. The Sharks issues are pretty clear and they’re yet another team going into the season with huge question marks. The Valentine Holmes situation at fullback is an interesting one. He’s a gun winger but has been fairly pedestrian at fullback to date...albeit only one season in. How long does Flanagan persist if he’s not firing early? Especially knowing it’s a decision that could cost him a star player. Looking forward to how Moylan goes. He’d had a pretty charmed career up to 2017, hopefully it’s a kick in the pants to make him realise what’s important and to focus his energies on his career.