Paul Gallen has declared prized recruits Craig Fitzgibbons, Dale Finucane and Nicho Hynes as the signings to transform Cronulla from also-rans to NRL title contenders.
Cronulla finished out of the finals in ninth spot in 2021 but Gallen believes the Sharks will be among the big improvers next season with the addition of the classy trio.
The Sharks’ only premiership-winning captain says top-four must be the goal.
“That’s what I’m thinking,” Gallen told AAP.
“Obviously a lot can alter that – injuries and suspensions can happen during the year – but with the roster they’ve got, I think they’ll be aiming for that.
“Certainly the top eight.
“The experience they’ve got and the guys they’ve bought (in recent years) – Toby Rudolf, (Braden) Hamlin-Uele, guys like that with a tough year under their belt will hold them in good stead.”
But it’s the luring of Fitzgibbon as head coach from the Sydney Roosters and Melbourne pair Finucane and Hines that most excites Gallen.
Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
“Fitzy’s good. He’ll bring a lot of respect,” Gallen said.
“He’s done his apprenticeship at, bar Melbourne, probably the most successful club in the league over the last 10 or 20 years.
“He comes with good credentials and he’s passionate about it, which is good. He’s going real well.”
Gallen holds Finucane in the highest of regard and said the former Storm star has already added professionalism to the Cronulla ranks.
“The way he trains is the best thing,” former NSW Origin skipper Gallen said.
“I’ve always maintained the reason I was able to play for a long time and do the things I did was because of the way I trained.
“I was never the most talented guy but I trained harder than everyone else and that’s the same about him.
“He is probably at another level to what I was.”
Hynes has proven a revelation during his three seasons at Melbourne and Gallen expected the classy utility to provide the Sharks with some much-needed “X-factor”.
“He played in the halves his whole life apparently; when they first signed him and told me he was playing in the halves, I scratched my head a bit,” Gallen said.
“But they said he played his whole life in the halves. I went back and checked his junior footy and he was always a half or five-eighth, so I’m pretty sure he will play there.
“Will Kennedy had a great year so he’ll probably keep that fullback spot.
“Nicho, he’s got X-factor about him for sure. It’s something you need these days to win a competition.
“You need someone who can pull something out of the box and he can do that.”
JVGO
Guest
Touche!
RedcliffeFan
Roar Rookie
They'll be a better defensive team than there were - of that I am certain. Under Morris and Hannay the defence fell away badly. It was embarrassing at times - lots of times. They became the sort of team I don't like - one that scores a lot of points and lets a lot in. No thanks. Defence wins matches and titles. With renowned defenders like McInnes and Finucane joining it will tighten up the defence especially under a defensive specialist like Fitz. If that happens and they can attack like they've been doing then they're in an excellent year. But no predictions from me about where they finish except top eight is highly likely - and expected. Up up Cronulla.
Dave
Guest
Lol I guess I should really blame myself for trying to engage in rational talk with a one eyed south’s fan, my bad
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Unless Walker, Cook, Latrell, Murray and Souths young guns Taaffe and Ilias all fail simultaneously the Rabbitohs will end up on top of the Roosters irrespective of where they finish on the ladder. The Roosters still have no hooker until Smith arrives in 2023 and that will be a deciding factor in where they finish in 2022. I honestly believe Jason Demetriou is the next big thing in NRL coaching. The Bunnies blistering attack was 100% because of Demetriou and Hornby coaching a style that perfectly suits Cody Walker and Latrell Mitchell. If Souths' defence can be as effective as it was towards the end of the 2021 season they will be hard to beat and a top 4 side in 2022.
Dave
Guest
Nothing is a certainty, but that’s not what I said anyway. South’s roster is worse than last year and the Eels are essentially the same and we’re pretty uninspiring most of the year. Roosters available players makes them a significantly better team than what they had available for the majority of last year and sharks have recruited well to significantly upgrade their roster
Dave
Guest
They were incredibly ordinary without Turbo. If he doesn’t fire or is injured it’s a distinct possibility
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
The Roosters are no certainties for a top 4 finish ahead of Souths or Manly. The Eels also have their top stars for 2022. Last year's top 6 look set to remain in the top 6 in 2022 IMO. Although positions should change. The Sharks will do well to finish 7th or 8th.
NSWelshman
Roar Rookie
Dream on……Sharks & Titans take 4th spot off Manly? Highly unlikely!
NSWelshman
Roar Rookie
Top 4 lololol……yeah right! At which teams expense? Too many punches to the head Gallen!
Dave
Guest
I don’t think it’s crazy unrealistic. Storm, Roosters Panthers are likely top 3 with Manly the most likely to fill the fourth but that’s all dependant on Turbo if 2021 results are anything to go by. Sharks, titans, South’s and Raiders are probably in the next block and anyone bar raiders have the potential to steal that fourth spot from Manly
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
IMO Bennett, Bellamy or Robinson couldn't take the Sharks to the top 4 with their current squad so Fitzgibbon is no chance. The Sharks should just aim at making the top 8 instead of putting unrealistic expectations on themselves.
The Barry
Roar Guru
To be fair the over achieving bit has happened once since 1967… :silly:
Nat
Roar Guru
Jeez, the Sharks just missed the 2021 finals on F/A. Last time they took holidays in Sept was the infamous 2014. Aiming for top 8 is a given I would have thought. At the risk of agreeing with Gal, top 4 should be the goal and I would imagine that would be the message from perennial achiever Fitzy. Good spine, fast backs and good pack. They will be ok.
Phil
Roar Rookie
On the other Cronulla topic I expressed a wait and see with Fitzgibbon. Their is a lot of positivity around his appointment as head coach but as Paul said here it is risky to talk up a new head coach. He mentioned Siebold, an utter flop. Then there is O'Brien at Newcastle who is plugging away, another who did his time at Easts and also Melbourne.Looking at the Tigers, Madge hasn't done much good even with his experience. Coaches have to start somewhere and Fitzy has a good place to start so it's up to him now to get his team up with the leaders.
Rob
Guest
Bit of a misleading headline. Top 4 should be the Sharks goal. Whether they are good enough to get there remains to be seen.
Paul
Roar Guru
It's both silly and dangerous to be talking up any team with a brand new head coach. I seem to recall lots and lots of positive words devoted to a guy named Siebold heading to the Broncos not so many years ago and that panned out well? Far better for the Sharks to do what they've done fairly well in recent times; try and stay under the radar and simply get on with getting ready for 2022.
Dionysus
Guest
I am no Cronulla fan, I would almost prefer to watch AFL than watch Cronulla (well that is probably going a bit too far) and as for Gallen well...... But having said all that, it does look like Cronulla have finally got some leadership and are trying to pull themselves up by their bootstraps. Fitzy may have zero experience but he seems to have started off well. He has got a couple of good recruits for next year and he seems to be leaving Cronulla's thugish past behind them. I normally won't listen to a word that PG says but the club does seem to be heading in the right direction. Top 4 - not a chance in 2022 but I reckon they will be close.
KenW
Roar Rookie
There's a lot of potential upside in Cronulla next year, I can understand your reluctance at the hype though. Fitz has the potential to be a great coach. Hynes has the potential to be a great half. Partnered with these guys Moylan may potentially return to career best form. That much potential makes them a story but it means the chickens are a long way from being counted. I think Finucane and McInnes adding more versatility to an already decent forward pack is a given though. That alone should see them more competitive.
JVGO
Guest
As Sharks supporter not really liking all the hype. I'm sure they'll go good. More used to being written off and over achieving though.