Sharks 2023 Outlook: Strong all over the park but lack of star power set to be a problem again on finals stage

PS. As for "lightening up" - I just can't stand stupidity - never have been able to.

Apparently you know what Cronulla officials think. You clearly don't. They clearly don't think they are a prop short. Here's why. The chronology is key - try to keep up: 1) They signed one prop (Kaufusi) to replace two props (Fitita, Tolman). 2) They made no further recruiting moves. 3) Newcastle came to them and wanted Miller just weeks before the season starts. 4) Cronulla reluctantly agreed and decided to come away with something. 5) If Cronulla thought they were short a prop they'd have attempted to sign one. They didn't until the Knights came calling unexpectedly. All the above is fact. Now you raise my Klemmer comment. I mentioned his name because he was on the market and available. I referred to a "big man". I did not mention "prop". I referred to the "pack" - a pack consists of front rowers, second rowers and locks. You write: "You are saying that the club is a good prop short." No, never did. Had a big, mean backrower/ No.13 been on the market I would have mentioned them instead. You make assumptions and then make further assumptions based on the earlier, erroneous assumptions. You read what I write and then claim it means something else. When challenged you go on tangents. I'd hate to be you. And one last thing - not surprisingly another assumption - I don't live in Queensland. Hilarous, thanks for the laughs.

‘As for the team I still think they are short of a class big man. The pack is solid but terrifies no one. Was hoping they’d make a play for Klemmer.’ I guess that wasn’t you? You are saying that the club is a good prop short . In my first comment, I said that Cronulla sees their forwards as being a weakness. Obviously they do , as you do. Where in that comment, did I say that the player they got from Newcastle, would be playing first grade in 2023? That was your assumption. The kid they got in return was a junior? What’s the point of that crap? He was in the top 30 squad for Newcastle. A 19 year old can play first grade. Got that yet? Everyone is entitled to an opinion. I see them as being soft in the forwards .Especially at prop. Others do too.. Don’t care how much you love the Sharks , up there in Queensland. Lighten up….

The kid they got in return for Miller is a "junior". Got it yet? Understand? You claimed this: "You think they are a good prop short yourself." I said no such thing. I mentioned Klemmer - what you fail to understand - is that there is no comparison with Klemmer and the kid from Newcastle. They were being "generous" to Miller. They were entitled to get someone in return. From an appalling list they chose a kid with potential. He will not in any way assist the club as a prop this year. He's an 18 year old kid and prop is the most physically demanding position on the field. So the Cronulla first grade squad has been weakened and Newcastle's strengthened - this year. And that's because Cronulla and Fitz put Miller's interests first. You wrote: "Again, if Cronulla viewed their own depth at prop as being excellent, they wouldn’t seek to buy a young prop from Newcastle? As they see Bradbury as being a starter for them at some point ." As I wrote, who else? The list is dire. As for "some point" - sure, in 2025. You make the assumption "Cronulla see themselves as being a bit soft in the Prop position". Oh yeah? Have they discussed that with you? Of course not. They had made no moves to buy anyone else in that position for this season once they signed Kaufus to replace TWO props in Fifita and Tolman - can't have been too concerned about the depth of props then can they? One in and two out - got it? They got the kid from Newcastle because it would not make sense to come away with nothing. You make it sound as if Cronulla, desperate for a prop, went to Newcastle and offered Miller in return for this kid. The other way around. Newcastle approached Cronulla when they missed out on other fullback targets. Fitzgibbon let Miller go reluctantly. So much for being desperate for a prop.

Don’t know whose comments you were reading, but they couldn’t have been mine? You’re going on about juniors & all sorts of things??? Nothing to do with any of my comments. I simply said that Cronulla see themselves as being a bit soft in the Prop position. Much the same as the article writer & Cronulla supporters have said. They weren’t being generous to Newcastle, as they get a very good up & coming prop. A position that they obviously feel is weak , going forward. With the loss of a couple of veterans props from last season. One with a dodgy knee , who was probably still the best there. Looking at the first grade side, they do look a bit soft at Prop. If ‘you’re’ choosing to talk about juniors etc. ? Even with Minor Premiers Newtown there. Cronulla felt the need to reinforce the Props , by buying another one. Yet even the minor premiership was actually more luck than anything else. Newtown were beaten up & spat out last season in the finals . By clubs with better forwards. Just as they had been by the premiers in that grade during the season. Despite all of these great backs in their NSW Cup team. Further reinforcing the view of the club being a bit soft at Prop.

No doubt that he had his best season there last season, due to being fitter. How about giving the club the hardest draw & then seeing how well they go? Including Moylan with that stat. That would be a change! Not sure who will win the competition in 2023? Yet, with the Roosters gradually buying up a lot of best tall young players around . Cronulla may not win another competition in the foreseeable future.

Oh, and one other amusing thought - on the basis of your 'theory' a club could field a first grade side of only juniors - in your view a player like Klemmer with 194 first grade games, 19 Tests and 14 Origins is the same as a kid who's played one Under-19s game. Wow! Think of the salary cap savings! You should contact whatever crap club you follow and tell me how they're doing it all wrong. LOL.

If you think that someone like Klemmer is the same as an 18 year old kid who has played a grand total of one games (one!) for NSW Under-19s then you are not playing with a full deck. He will not play first grade this year and when he doesn't I'll remind you of the fact. You do know that just because two people play the same position it doesn't mean they're the same right? LOL.

I first wrote a longer reply. Then after reading your comment above. You think they are a good prop short yourself. So no need to write any more! :thumbup:

They had to pick someone didn't they? Why not a promising young player? Not much else to pick from is there? No, there isn't. Knights are a shambles. Cronulla didn't initiate this process - Newcastle did. They did not seek this deal - Newcastle did. You seem to be suggesting Cronulla went after this kid - they didn't - Newcastle went after Miller and Cronulla needed to get something in return. I have not said this: "Cronulla see their forwards ( especially at prop ) as being a strength." I said this: "As for the team I still think they are short of a class big man" and I said I'd hoped we had made a play for Klemmer. There is a world of difference between Klemmer and a kid of 18, particularly one who plays at prop. I hope Bradbury plays first grade for Cronulla at some stage if he stays and remains fit - but unless Cronulla loses half a dozen forwards to injury it won't be this season or anytime soon.

If Cronulla see their forwards ( especially at prop ) as being a strength, why would they seek a prop in Bradbury as a swap player? It was the article writer who first suggested that Cronulla are somewhat lacking in that position, to start with. A few Cronulla supporters comments also suggested that they’re a hard headed prop short , in the forwards. Again, if Cronulla viewed their own depth at prop as being excellent, they wouldn’t seek to buy a young prop from Newcastle? As they see Bradbury as being a starter for them at some point . So , the opinion I gave is shared by quiet a few others . Including being shared by the Cronulla club officials.

PS. Cronulla isn't short of good young forwards as they showed when they beat the Knights on the weekend.

That's your opinion - I don't agree. Fitzgibbon and the club hierarchy were reluctant to let Miller go and refused for some time. Eventually they caved on the basis of the three year deal Miller could get at the Knights. Miller was effusive in his praise for Cronulla in letting him to go to help him secure his future. Bradbury is a kid and is some distance away from playing first grade, no matter how promising he is. Feel free to come back to me if he plays first grade this year - I will remind you when he doesn't.

Just wasn't sure of who he was qualified for . Meaning Penrith not missing too many forwards when SOO is on as they lose only Yeo and Martin and Korisau last year .

Fitzgibbon wasn’t being decent at all. Cronulla got one of the best up & coming props around from Newcastle, in Max Bradbury. As an exchange player. Which was craziness on Newcastles part. Given all the forwards that left Newcastle & Bradbury was in the top 30 squad for the Knights. That says that Cronulla also see their forwards as being a weakness.

Leota has played for NZ & Samoa. Leniu was born in NZ, but played for Samoa. The NSW selectors isn’t going to choose an off the bench forward in Leniu, for the NSW side . Not sure what Leota would make of NSW selection, if that happened? As a former NZ rep player, he could just say that he’s not available?

All the best to the Sharks. Let's hope you won't need to copy and paste in another 6mths.

They've never been smart enough recruiters to win back to back.

Well that's useful. Go the Jet Ski !!

Yeah, nah. Moylan was massive last year…. Poor would only be described if you didn’t watch many sharks games. Still a lot of upside in a young team that has essentially has had another pre-season together.