SHARKS LOOK SHARP IN HUNT FOR REDEMPTION
CRONULLA’S 2023 campaign will be set to the backdrop of a finals redemption story.
After finishing last season second on the ladder, the Sharks were bundled out of the finals in twostraight losses.
As one of the competition’s frontrunners, the disappointment of not making a dent in September will be fuelling Craig Fitzgibbon’s men.
BACKLINE
Strike, speed, power and aggression. Coach Fitzgibbon is blessed with classy outside back combinations on both sides of the field.
But what sets Ronaldo Mulitalo, Jesse Ramien, Siosifa Talakai and Sione Katoa apart is their collective desire to get through so much work, especially in the back field.
Talakai’s form in the last trial match was ominous. He is so powerful but he’s got a catch and pass on him too. Connor Tracey is an NRL-calibre player who can fit anywhere in the backline.
SPINE
Halfback Nicho Hynes has already got his season off to the best start. He was strong in the All Stars match and trials.
If he can compile the sort of numbers he did last year in attack, the Sharks will be a topfour side again. Matt Moylan is looking after his body, it has meant he has stayed on the field and finally his best football is on show. Fullback Will Kennedy was one of the great improvers of the last couple of seasons. He was under a bit of pressure to keep his spot but that was only because of the ability of Kade Dykes.
Kennedy has shown enough class to prove he deserves the No.1 jumper.
Hooker Blayke Brailey has finally turned to his running game, adding another dimension to the spine.
FORWARD PACK
This team lost a lot of experience with the retirements of Andrew Fifita and Aiden Tolman but what we will see is a quicker forward pack this year. There is more leg speed in a youthful middle with the likes of Toby Rudolf, Oregon Kaufusi and Royce Hunt. They’re not short of good middles. Teig Wilton has shown already he belongs in the NRL. Briton Nikora is the best hole runner in the game.