Matty Johns has backed the Cronulla Sharks to break into the top four of the NRL under new coach Craig Fitzgibbon, with the former Knights star saying that the new leadership in the Shire could give them the edge in 2022.
Speaking at the Fox League season launch at CommBank Stadium in Parramatta, Johns acknowledged that it would be a tough ask, but tipped the Sharkies as most likely to elbow their way in.
“It is really hard at the moment to break into that top four or five sides, I think the side that I look at that has the best opportunity is I think Cronulla,” he said.
“Fitzy is a rookie coach and I suppose he doesn’t really know what sort of coach he is until you lose three in a row and have to get out of it, but he has the right temperament, I like their roster.
“They have had some good signings and I think they will have natural improvement as you do under a new coach.
“They’re my smoky to break into the four, I don’t see them winning the competition but I see them being a threat to a team like Souths.
Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
“Everything I know about Fitzy as far as temperament, tactical nous, combined with the quality of players they’re brought in, leadership from Finucane, Nicho has a lot of class, Wade Graham is back.
“They’ve got a good mix of veterans and young blokes on the up and up. I think they’re headed for a really good three or four years.”
Johns added that the Panthers, Roosters, Storm and Rabbitohs were all set to be up there, but tipped the Bunnies as most likely to drop out.
“It goes without saying the Roosters, what they showed last year without so many players, they are going to go close.
“The Panthers it will be difficult, it is tough because it is hard to go back-to-back and there is a reason for that.
“Every time they play a side they are going to going to be playing a side at their best because they are going to want to beat the premiers and that can take a toll on you.
“And look, the Melbourne Storm over the last 15 years have been eulogised about five or six times but they are always up there, they will be at least top four.
“And finally the Rabbitohs, it is a really intriguing one, big challenge for Jason Demetriou… Big challenge for him because you know he is following Wayne (Bennett) in and usually when Wayne leaves a side just goes boom.
“For whatever reason, Wayne just takes the magic with him.”
Speaking at the same Fox League event, Josh Addo-Carr backed his new club, the Bulldogs, to reverse the fortunes that saw them finish last in 2021 to make the top eight in 2022.
He called out the influence of Phil Gould, telling media that Gus was already setting new standards at the club.
“He just wants the best for the team and always asks what we can do for the boys and for the club, seeing how we can make training better and everyone’s job easier,” he said.
“He’s really intimidating, to be honest. He’s just got that aura about him. Moving to the club, I’ve really got to know him and it’s been awesome.”
Addo-Carr has moved into a leadership role at Belmore, and said that the Bulldogs were “real” about making the Finals this year.
“You’re only as good as your team, so if I can help my teammates be successful then it’s going to go a long way to winning games,” he said.
“I understand the game well and (enjoy) helping my teammates be the very best they can.
“It was a shock to the system moving to a different club. I knew it was going to be a challenge, but they’re a good bunch of boys and they’re willing to work hard.”
steveng
Roar Rookie
The usual headliners every year predicting the ladder and the top 4? All I say is "Go You Bunnies" the certainties and morals of 2022 :thumbup: :stoked: !
Joseph Aku
Guest
The Broncos could be a threat to any opponents they play against with the inclusion of some high profile signing including Adam Reynolds. ????????
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Johns is in the media, and the media can say all these things with no accountability If he is right we'll hear about it until the end of time. If he is wrong he'll pretend he never said it
KenW
Roar Rookie
Fair enough. experience says we'll lose at least one of them but I'm mostly with you. The Top 6 from last year would consider themselves to have had a terrible year if they don't play finals this year. Does tipping the Raiders to make the 2021 GF count as an error ? I was trying to think of a way to spin that but I reckon you're just going to have to own that one!
Danielle Smith
Editor
Welcome Mike! There is so much pressure and expectation on the Sharks to not only improve from last year but be amazing this season. It’s going to be interesting to see how they go.
Albo
Roar Rookie
I did mean the top 6 from 2021 should have enough to retain a spot in the 8 in 2022 even if they drop from 2nd to 8th. I still fancy there may be 10 teams chasing 2 available spots in the 8 . But then I have been wrong once before , I think ? Does tipping the Raiders to make the 2021 GF count as an error ?
KenW
Roar Rookie
The top 2 teams of last year were neck and neck, with a clear gap back to Souths and then fresh air. If we were going to say there was a clear divide in 2020 I think it was after these 3. Manly had a great run to the Top 4, the Roosters were hard done by injuries and Parra has been consistently 'good' for the last few seasons. But these teams were much closer to the teams chasing them than they were to the top 3. Of course things change year to year. On paper, Souths are a risk to drop a peg or two, while the Roosters may well claw themselves back into contention. Teams routinely come from no-where, Manly last year, Panthers did it a couple of seasons back. Parra was last in 2018 and 4th in 2019 - Canberra made the GF that same year after not playing finals for multiple seasons beforehand. Perhaps Penrith and Melbourne could consider themselves far enough ahead to fall a bit and maintain their position. I don't think that's true of anyone else.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Fair points. I just feel there is still a bit of a divide between the top 6 from 2021 and the rest. And while some teams will improve in 2022 and others drop back a peg, I think that top 6 might still prevail even if the divide is narrowed.
Nat
Roar Guru
I would (and want to) agree with those picks. If there is an upside to the potentials injury risks with Moylan and Graham is that they have happened regularly enough now the team is accustomed to playing without them. Having them back is a large bonus more than real deficiency if it happens again. I just don't know about Parra. I want the Titans to do well, they will crush some teams when it all clicks but it is a huge step up for their very young, inexperienced spine. Can Turbo do it again? Maybe the big difference isn't really Turbo but the bad teams getting better so it won't be such a charmed run.
Albo
Roar Rookie
I know it is fraught with danger trying to forecast a top 4 or top 8 without a ball being kicked or an injury toll yet to be revealed, but we fools like to dabble with predictions anyway. For my top 8 forecast , I have gone with the same top 6 from last season ( Panthers, Souths, Storm, Manly, Roosters & Eels) and added the two teams I consider have looked to have really strengthened their squads from last season ( Sharks & Broncos). I think both the Sharks & Broncos have added key members to their outfits with Reynolds & Capewell to the Broncos and Finucane, McInnes & Hynes to the Sharks. I had some reservations about Hynes being their answer in the halves, but on seeing his performance in the All Stars match on Saturday, my doubts have been dispelled. The Sharks still have a few queries with a couple of injury crocks, ( Moylan's hammies & Graham's head knocks), but with all being equal, I see them moving into the top 8 with a chance of top 4 if all goes really well. The Titans are a chance of ousting one of my predicted top 8 teams , and the Dogs have significantly improved their squad, but perhaps they are coming from too far back for finals success this season ? I can't see the other 6 teams threatening at this stage ? So, that should just about ensure a pile of egg for my face in September ! :silly:
Nat
Roar Guru
With all due respect to the Sharks, Johns may 5 beers deep by this time. It's ok to say that a team should and likely will get better but it dismisses the 8 teams that finished above them. The Sharks (with rookie coach) have to get significantly better where the others only have to improve a bit more to maintain their position.
Paul
Roar Guru
In fairness to Johns, he declared the Sharks as his smokies to make the top 4, not as certainties. I've no idea what price they are to do that, but if they're more than 10 bucks, that's a tempting bet. What he does have right is Souths being the most likely candidate to drop down a place or two. Just as we have no idea how the Sharks will go with a new coach and so many new players, we have no idea how the Bunnies will go sans Bennett.
Tony
Roar Guru
Brilliant. Send me your list so I can get some bets on :happy:
Adam
Roar Guru
They're with about 6 sides I put down as potential 7-10 teams
Tony
Roar Guru
I think they'll creep into the bottom of the 8 this year.
KenW
Roar Rookie
Former Cronulla player thinks Cronulla will do well. Not that he's necessarily wrong - the Sharks are a bit of an unknown quantity and could finish almost anywhere on the table without much surprise - but I'm not putting money on them based on this.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Possibly because he understands what Johns,A. ‘mentoring’ the squad is going to do
NSWelshman
Roar Rookie
I’m shocked he left his Knights out of the top 4 Lolol…..
Tony
Roar Guru
Welcome to The Roar Mike! :happy:
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Good to see that John, M. has already dropped Manly out of the top four. This guy seldom gets anything right