Loss leaves Sharks hunting finals spot
MOSSMAN-PORT Douglas Sharks will take the long journey down the Captain Cook Highway to Yarrabah next weekend knowing that a win is crucial to keeping their finals hopes alive, after a gutwrenching loss to Suburbs.
The Sharks went down 28-26 to Southern Suburbs at home on Saturday night behind standout performances from the visitors’ front rowers Daniel Tatipata and Aidan Day. Tatipata, who helped keep the Gordonvale-based side’s finals hopes alive, was inspirational in the closing stages, chasing down superstar winger Stanley Anau to give Suburbs a chance.
He then found himself on the end of a string of offloads to level the game before bench utility Jahmal Dean sealed the victory with a memorable conversion from out wide in the final minute of the match.
The loss means Sharks must win at least one of their next two matches, starting with the Seahawks this Saturday.
“I’m not in panic mode,” coach Jason Chilman said. “We had a rough game. Hopefully, that’s our worst game of the season and move on from it. I spoke to the boys at length after the game. We all know where we went wrong.”
Despite his charges finishing the season strongly, Suburbs coach Luke Saunders said a 1-5 start may yet cost them a finals spot.
“We’ve been building all year and we’ve pushed all the top teams,” Saunders said.
“I think our first six weeks of the season have come back to haunt us a little bit.
“We probably should’ve started better but it’s pleasing to still be a chance.
“We played nice and fast at their edges and made them work in attack.
“Robbie Amber is their best playmaker and we kept our attack channelled through him for most of the night.”
Suburbs have winnable games against Mareeba and Yarrabah to close out the season but can’t afford to lose again if they’re to finish in the top five.
“Ten wins normally gets you there but you just don’t know this year,” Saunders said. “But we know we’ve got two of the best props in the game and they both go for 80 minutes.”
editorial@cairnspost.com.au facebook.com/TheCairnsPost www.cairnspost.com.au twitter.com/TheCairnsPost