CRONULLA Sharks are set to pounce on the English Super League and buy at least one new player to add to their signings for season 2011.
On the back of the big news last week that the Sharks have agreed on a $150 million property development with three joint venture partners, the football club now has an extra $200,000 to spend after releasing underperforming second rower Adam Cuthbertson from the last year of his contract.
Coach Shane Flanagan, who cracked the whip yesterday with the start of off-season training, confirmed the Sharks will buy at least one new back row forward.
‘‘We might buy one or two players, but hopefully get one forward as a back-up for our representative players, Paul Gallen and [ex-Dragon international] Jeremy Smith,’’ said Flanagan, who also brought in former Sharks international Jason Stevens to address the team.
‘‘Both Gal and Jeremy will obviously be missing during the rep season.’’
Boom Penrith recruit Wade Graham led most of the new signings in a solid workout at Endeavour No. 2.
Players missing included Gallen and Smith, who reinjured his troublesome calf during the Kiwis’ loss to Australia in Saturday night’s Four Nations match in Eden Park; props Luke Douglas and Kade Snowden, who have been rested, and centre Ben Pomeroy, who is on his honeymoon.
Flanagan, who took over from former coach Ricky Stuart seven weeks from the end of last season, said he was confident the squad he had assembled for 2011 could at least make the NRL finals.
‘‘I’ve told the boys that is our aim, and if we progress after that it will be a bonus,’’ said Flanagan, who confirmed Gallen would be the new captain, following the retirement of Trent Barrett. Barrett will be working with halves Tim Smith, Wade Graham and Albert Kelly in the off-season.
‘‘We spoke about how the [Sydney] Roosters rose from the depths of wooden-spooners to almost make the grand final this season, and how players have to make similar sacrifices to emulate them.
‘‘Todd Carney is a classic example and I’ve spoken to Tim Smith about him.
‘‘Wade Graham is an important signing for sure, but he is part of the jigsaw of this group performing as a team.
‘‘We’d love a brilliant star like Greg Inglis ... but we will concentrate on our own strengths as a team.’’
Flanagan said he thought he had addressed the team’s lack of pointscoring, with the recruitment of Graham, former Sharks centre/winger Colin Best, North Queensland winger John Williams, and Papua New Guinea Four Nations fullback Ryan Tongia, who will be trialled on the wing.
‘‘As well, we have young local junior Stuart Mills returning from his shocking leg injury of last year. He could be the quickest of them all,’’ Flanagan said.
