The Sharks finally put together a solid performance in 2021 as Will Kennedy and Jesse Ramien torched the helpless Gold Coast Titans.
Cronulla took the two points in a 38-10 win. It also looks like dropping Chad Townsend worked out for the Sharks.
Shaun Johnson and Matt Moylan were both in the halves and combined for two try assists and two line break assists, with Moylan running for 167 metres and Johnson kicking for 409 metres.
Four out of the five backs for the Sharks ran for over 100 metres with Ramien running for the most metres out of their backs with 164 metres.
Fullback Will Kennedy ran for 124 metres, wingers Connor Tracey and Ronaldo Mulitalo ran for 150 and 163 run metres, and centre Will Chambers ran for 78 metres and had a very nice flick pass to set up a Mulitalo try. Kennedy also finished the game with two try assists.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Tracey scored a try, Mulitalo bagged a double and Ramien crossed for a try but what really impressed me the most was Ramien’s performance because the Sharks centre had 12 tackle breaks, two line breaks, one line break assist and four offloads along with being strong in defence.
Dummy half Blayke Brailey sneaked over for a try and made 31 tackles. Every Sharks starting forward ran for over 100 metres. Aiden Tolman ran for just over 100 metres, Aaron Woods had 120 metres, Briton Nikora had 103, Wade Graham had 129 and lock forward Toby Rudolf ran for 137 metres.
Siosifa Talakai had a strong stint coming off the bench after running for 104 metres. But who impressed me the most coming off the bench was Jack Williams, who scored a try, ran for 117 metres, made a line break and had 31 tackles with zero misses.
Titans fullback AJ Brimson went off in the 55th minute after suffering a leg injury, which could rule him out of the first State of Origin game on June 9 for the Queensland Maroons. Phillip Sami really put his name up there to be picked in the Maroons’ Origin side after finishing the game with 143 run metres and six tackle breaks.
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and David Fifita were good as always and I expect them to be in the Maroons’ side after both players ran for over 150 metres and combined for 19 tackle breaks, with 14 of them going to David Fifita.
Moeaki Fotuaika also had a good game in a losing side and put his name in the mix for the Queensland Maroons after running for 211 metres, breaking three tackles, making one line break and making 40 tackles for three misses.
The Sharks have a bye next week so if any of their players were selected for Origin, it wouldn’t affect them as much. The Titans come up against the Melbourne Storm next week with both teams missing players through Origin.
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
We picked up Nico…yeah happy days
souvalis
Roar Rookie
With Fitzy, this could be the start of a beautiful relationship..very happy.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Told ya boys - in the bag :thumbup:
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Sharks also gunning for Finucane, long as they don’t pay overs. He’s the forgotten Bull for the Blues. Had him in my 17. I forget Freddy likes em younger.
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
The Northern Hordes are after anything that’s not nailed down.Sally Caps will need to come back from Leave after the SOO series
souvalis
Roar Rookie
If Fitzy pries Nicho away from the Storm and grass cutting claws of the Broncos he’s a genius.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Keep SJ, Moylan, Kennedy and add Hynes into the squad.... all of a sudden that’s a serious looking team with depth in all key positions.
Renegade
Roar Guru
I think Kennedy is a far better fullback than Dufty....wouldn’t move him with how he is developing for a lesser player in dufty... Hynes, we could play in numerous positions - he is a must have.... allows us to keep Johnson and Moylan on short term deals as well.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
For me it’s not about his ability, it’s his ongoing injuries especially when they occur around semi finals fighting time that leave the side short.
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Do we go all in on SJ?
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Well, we got burnt with the optimism around Belly then A Rey signings, trying to keep it real.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Forget dufty... Throw the Reynolds money at Hynes
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
I also hear Sharks are after Nico Hynes,Dont know how he would fit in.I'm presuming Duges is on the way out.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
More like fit Sharks, on and off contract want to get back into it. Wonder if Fitzy will have a shot at Dufty and bring Will K. up to partner Ramien in the centers. Certainly adds more points scoring potential. Love Tracey and want him in the 17 somewhere near the ball once Sione gets back.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
I can never understand how a team (Titans) can finish a season so strongly then after an even shorter turnaround due to last year’s later finish, drop off in form so significantly. They have played well in patches e.g. running up a 22 point lead against the Broncos prior to being swamped. Have some injury problems however some other clubs are worse off in that respect. The addition of players such as Fifita should have strengthened them so their weekend performance was most unexpected. Credit to Cronulla however their task was made easier by their almost insipid opposition.
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Acid test for Sharks revival next round V’s Panthers.Although not expecting a win ,I am expecting a competitive performance and an improvement on 50plus drubbing.After that it’s Onwards and Upwards!
Conan of Cooma
Roar Rookie
Top game of footy from the Sharks.
Simon SS
Roar Rookie
Sounds like off contract shark's players want to show they are worth something