Will the Sharks make the eight?

"Regardless, Sunday’s loss to Parramatta was arguably the biggest proof yet that Cronulla can match it with the best." What about the 56 points put on them by the Panthers in round 9? Sharks to make the top 8 - Yes Sharks ability to match it with the best and potentially win the premiership- No

Wow...what a litany of excuses..all teams have setbacks in the quest for the Holy Grail You sound like Ricky Stuart after a loss

Earlier in the season I didn’t have the Sharks in my top eight - for a few reasons - loss of Morris, issue with Xerri, no home ground, young coach and busted senior players (Fifita, Moylan, Graham & Dugan all carrying injuries). I haven’t changed my opinion.

Says a lot about how top heavy this comp is that they will make the 8. Have only played 4 top 8 sides all year and have come up short every time, with the two occasions they came close in extremely wet conditions. They are a little like south's, beat the teams below them but just lack the quality to win against the better teams.

I think the Sharks are specials for the bottom half of the top 8. They have a pretty cruisy draw, a good point scoring record and the 8 other teams below them are all struggling . I think the final 8 has been set for a few weeks now, its just the final order that needs to be fine tuned.

Based on recent form, more specifically the form of Johnson they’ll be there for sure. Even accounting for the awful conditions yesterday they were by far the better side. Yet again the Eels needed a few dodgy calls to get them home in a narrow one. That’s at least three times this season.

well it's probably between them, manly and souths for the bottom 2 spots in the 8. I haven't looked at their runs home.... Tigers are gone, they needed to beat at least 1 of the Warriors/Knights. Dragons and Titans could go on runs but highly unlikely.

I can’t see a future beyond this year for Moylan at Cronulla. Kennedy’s done a wonderful job at the back for 9 weeks or so, much safer under the high ball, nearly one try assist per game and links well with his wingers. Not crash hot on Townsend either to be frank, backs up well but got nothing exciting in his game..dunno if I’d be heaving any of the bench forwards out of the way for Fifita either if the leg strength doesn’t return. I’d be keeping the same side as yesterday with Moylan at 6..the pack are real goers who will grunt into the 8 but lack the consistent game discipline needed in the finals to get over sides like the Storm or Penrith

yeah let's not take into account the 24/7 judgment cycle they have to navigate now.

Capable of causing some upset. Have the strike force in their outside backs. Need more game management from their halves and Moylan needs to be at the back.

They are currently 8th. Who knocks them out? Someone would have to get on a run and the only team showing improved form from outside the 8 is the Dragons who are still 4 points adrift.

When the "there are no losers" edict found its way into schools & some junior sports the idea of participation being the most important aspect although possibly well intentioned it didn't teach the lesson of handling disappointment. Reminded me of the country show "roll up. everyone's a winner". Just have to hit an impossibly placed target & then you only get a "prize" worth 5c.

I can't see any team currently outside the eight doing enough to force their way in so Cronulla will be there to make up the numbers.

participation certificate...beautiful!

Yes, they will. Unless they win every game between now and finals, probably won’t finish high enough to give it a genuine crack. That said, this is a very young side - I can see this squad delivering another premiership to shark park in the next couple years.

In my completely unbiased and well considered and educated opinion, we are not just going to make the 8, we’re going to win the whole thing. Striking from the bottom of the 8 like a great white chainsaw of death. Up Up the mighty Sharks.

I'm not sure how you can say Moylan did his job yesterday. He was awful. I'll cut him some slack being first game back in terrible conditions. The way he ran when he got in the clear with intercept yesterday makes me think he's scared to really reach out with his speed which is kind of important when you are returning the ball from fullback. Sharks will make the 8 as they have the softest run in the comp. In many ways despite the loss, yesterday was Sharks best performance for a while.

Credit must go to John Morris. Certain sections of the media (mainly the foxsports journos) have been making false accusations all year that Morris's job is in danger. While he won't be getting either, he's actually closer to getting coach of the year than the sack. He's had to deal with Paul Gallen's retirement, his most experienced player Josh Morris whingeing his way to a release, his most promising young player Xerri suspended, getting stuffed around by ASADA waiting for Xerri's B sample (they're still paying Xerri and can't sack him and replace him until that comes), salary cap penalties not caused by him, and some highly paid injury prone players on the roster that he didn't sign. He's actually doing ok taking all of this into account and getting the sharks into the finals would be a pretty good achievement.

I honestly don't think you can read much into yesterdays game for either team. Obviously happy to get the 2 points, but in those conditions, that is all it is. Whilst the scoreline suggest Cronulla can stay with the teams at the top (they actually win the game if Johnson kicks his goals), or that Parra can grind out a win, the conditions were awful, and I don't think either team learns much from it.

they will make the 8 and lose straight away. making the 8 is a participation certificate