Berkeley_Eagle
Current Status: 24/7 Manly Fan
SHARKS
Stuart's Cronulla close to being very scary
February 26, 2008
http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/stuar...3788247606.html
WHO'S NEW: Karl Filiga (Bulldogs), Blake Green (Eels), Grant Millington (Roosters), Bryan Norrie (Panthers), Kade Snowden (Knights), Adam Peek (Dragons), James Storer (Eels), Sam Moa (Balmain Tigers).
WHO'S GONE: Adam Dykes (Hull FC), Phil Leuluai (Salford), Craig Stapleton (Salford), Cameron Ciraldo (Knights), Josh Hannay (Celtic Crusaders), Dane Nielsen (Storm), Henry Perenara (retired), Anthony Watts (Cowboys), Dayne Weston (Cowboys).
BIGGEST QUESTION: When the going got tough last year, the Sharks got going, but not in a good sense. The Sharks lost nine matches by four points or less - a win in just one of those games would have given them a spot in the finals. If they can turn around that statistic, they will be well in contention when the going gets really tough, in the finals. How halfback Brett Kimmorley handles life without the little "c" next to his name will also have some bearing on whether 2008 is another season of missed opportunity for the club which makes a living out of it. "Noddy" likes to run the show on the field, and won't enjoy having the title taken from him.
JOB SEEKERS: Blake Green has guided Parramatta to two consecutive Premier League titles, and in the future it is hoped he will be able to help the Sharks break through in first grade. Green is still green, but he was signed up last year with a fair amount of pomp for a player with just six first-grade games to his name. Brett Kimmorley and Greg Bird will be Ricky Stuart's first-choice halves combination. Green, however, could easily break them up at some stage.
KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Karl Filiga has all the trademarks of Sonny Bill Williams except the trademarked name. That's because some would know him as Karl Filiga and others would know him as Karl McNichol. Filiga was signed from the Bulldogs as McNichol last May on a contract which could see him earn $200,000 a season over three years. He has since switched to his mother's maiden name - his father left the family home when Karl was just four. The 19-year-old centre/back-rower played his first game for the Sharks in the 44-0 drubbing by South Sydney and failed to impress, however the Sharks did not expect much out of him after he missed most of last year because of chest and foot injuries. Stuart is treating Filiga as a project player, although he is certain to be given time in first grade. Nathan Stapleton is a little further behind in terms of development, and in promise, but he has also been tagged as one to watch. Stapleton, an 18-year-old centre who will be part of the Sharks' National Youth Competition squad, comes from a northern NSW town called Deepwater, and Stuart is likely to throw him, ahem, into the deep end, this season. Some onlookers rated him the best on field in the Gosford trial, although as the scoreline suggested, he didn't have a lot of opposition.
REASONS TO BE EXCITED: The nine-games-by-four-points-or-less stat might haunt Stuart in the dead of night. However, it is also a reason to be positive about the Sharks' prospects. It showed they were within touching distance of being genuine title contenders. Greg Bird and Paul Gallen are both within touching distance of becoming regular representatives players, and as long as they stay fit, the Sharks will be difficult to topple in the week-to-week grind. If they do get to the finals, Stuart is one of the best in the business at whisking his players into a finals frenzy. You know he will have them peaking at the right time.
REASONS TO BE WORRIED: They are the team that has never won a premiership. Whenever we have become excited about a Cronulla side, they invariably disappoint, ensuring the game's longest premiership drought continues. Still, with the amount of rain that has been dumped on Sydney recently, Sharks fans will be hoping it's some sort of sign. Rain dance, please.
Glenn Jackson
Stuart's Cronulla close to being very scary
February 26, 2008
http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/stuar...3788247606.html
WHO'S NEW: Karl Filiga (Bulldogs), Blake Green (Eels), Grant Millington (Roosters), Bryan Norrie (Panthers), Kade Snowden (Knights), Adam Peek (Dragons), James Storer (Eels), Sam Moa (Balmain Tigers).
WHO'S GONE: Adam Dykes (Hull FC), Phil Leuluai (Salford), Craig Stapleton (Salford), Cameron Ciraldo (Knights), Josh Hannay (Celtic Crusaders), Dane Nielsen (Storm), Henry Perenara (retired), Anthony Watts (Cowboys), Dayne Weston (Cowboys).
BIGGEST QUESTION: When the going got tough last year, the Sharks got going, but not in a good sense. The Sharks lost nine matches by four points or less - a win in just one of those games would have given them a spot in the finals. If they can turn around that statistic, they will be well in contention when the going gets really tough, in the finals. How halfback Brett Kimmorley handles life without the little "c" next to his name will also have some bearing on whether 2008 is another season of missed opportunity for the club which makes a living out of it. "Noddy" likes to run the show on the field, and won't enjoy having the title taken from him.
JOB SEEKERS: Blake Green has guided Parramatta to two consecutive Premier League titles, and in the future it is hoped he will be able to help the Sharks break through in first grade. Green is still green, but he was signed up last year with a fair amount of pomp for a player with just six first-grade games to his name. Brett Kimmorley and Greg Bird will be Ricky Stuart's first-choice halves combination. Green, however, could easily break them up at some stage.
KEEP YOUR EYE ON: Karl Filiga has all the trademarks of Sonny Bill Williams except the trademarked name. That's because some would know him as Karl Filiga and others would know him as Karl McNichol. Filiga was signed from the Bulldogs as McNichol last May on a contract which could see him earn $200,000 a season over three years. He has since switched to his mother's maiden name - his father left the family home when Karl was just four. The 19-year-old centre/back-rower played his first game for the Sharks in the 44-0 drubbing by South Sydney and failed to impress, however the Sharks did not expect much out of him after he missed most of last year because of chest and foot injuries. Stuart is treating Filiga as a project player, although he is certain to be given time in first grade. Nathan Stapleton is a little further behind in terms of development, and in promise, but he has also been tagged as one to watch. Stapleton, an 18-year-old centre who will be part of the Sharks' National Youth Competition squad, comes from a northern NSW town called Deepwater, and Stuart is likely to throw him, ahem, into the deep end, this season. Some onlookers rated him the best on field in the Gosford trial, although as the scoreline suggested, he didn't have a lot of opposition.
REASONS TO BE EXCITED: The nine-games-by-four-points-or-less stat might haunt Stuart in the dead of night. However, it is also a reason to be positive about the Sharks' prospects. It showed they were within touching distance of being genuine title contenders. Greg Bird and Paul Gallen are both within touching distance of becoming regular representatives players, and as long as they stay fit, the Sharks will be difficult to topple in the week-to-week grind. If they do get to the finals, Stuart is one of the best in the business at whisking his players into a finals frenzy. You know he will have them peaking at the right time.
REASONS TO BE WORRIED: They are the team that has never won a premiership. Whenever we have become excited about a Cronulla side, they invariably disappoint, ensuring the game's longest premiership drought continues. Still, with the amount of rain that has been dumped on Sydney recently, Sharks fans will be hoping it's some sort of sign. Rain dance, please.
Glenn Jackson