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Sharks general savours entree
AFTER a season Brett Kimmorley would be happy to forget, the Cronulla halfback and captain is hungry again.
On Saturday night, he dined on rabbit, leading Cronulla to a 22-4 win over South Sydney in a trial at Central Coast Stadium. It was a promising start to Kimmorley's club career under Sharks coach Ricky Stuart, the man he credits with helping him rediscover his passion for the game, something he admits he has lacked in recent seasons.
Kimmorley laid on tries for wingers Misi Taulapapa and Luke Covell with kicks, guiding the club back from a 4-0 half-time deficit.
"It's probably where I was several years ago, being as hungry as I was," Kimmorley said.
"I had a really enjoyable off-season and was looking forward to playing. With the fact we lost 10 in a row last year, it was 'get me away from footy'.
"On the back of a crap year, I think I have enjoyed the off-season we have had.
"Before today I was just looking forward to playing again, which is a good thing."
The Sharks looked anything but fluent in the first half against the Rabbitohs, conceding the game's opening try when winger Paul Mellor crossed after some good lead-up work from Dean Widders, the only one of Souths' big-name recruits to appear.
It was a lead the Rabbitohs held until half-time, before Kimmorley and the Sharks seized control of the second half.
After tries to Taulapapa and Covell, winger Fraser Anderson crossed in the 70th minute and impressive fullback Brett Kearney finished the scoring with six minutes remaining.
"It was the first win for a long time," said lock Paul Gallen, who was forced off early in the opening half with an ankle injury.
"Just sitting in here and watching the boys walk in was awesome. I know it's only a trial but it's something different from blokes walking in and throwing sh*t everywhere.
"Seeing the boys high-fiving, it was a good feeling. There was a good energy."
Stuart has had plenty to do with that.
Some questioned whether Kimmorley and Stuart could work together after their falling out during the 2005 State of Origin series, but those concerns have been eased.
"Having Ricky here is going to help my game a fair bit," Kimmorley said. "I'm eager to be coached again."
From that perspective, Stuart has called on Kimmorley to be more selective. Rather than getting his hands on the ball every play, Stuart wants his halfback to pick his moments.
"It's a chance for me to sit back and read it and play a lot smarter footy, rather than playing footy for the sake of it," Kimmorley said. "I felt a lot more under control tonight."
Kimmorley isn't the only Cronulla player impressed with the new regime.
"A change is as good as a holiday," Gallen said.
"Everyone has a new lease on life around there. He's the Australia coach and he's the kind of guy who just seems real determined.
"I think everyone can feel that, that he wants to change the place. We have trained the best I have ever seen us train.
"Some of us are in the best condition we have been in. I think it's working, but it's only a trial and there's going to be a lot bigger tests."
Souths coach Jason Taylor was also encouraged by his side's performance.
He expects to have Nathan Merritt, Nigel Vagana, David Kidwell, Roy Asotasi, David Fa'alogo, Jeremy Smith and David Peachey back for Saturday night's Charity Shield against St George Illawarra at Telstra Stadium.
how nice and fluffy!
AFTER a season Brett Kimmorley would be happy to forget, the Cronulla halfback and captain is hungry again.
On Saturday night, he dined on rabbit, leading Cronulla to a 22-4 win over South Sydney in a trial at Central Coast Stadium. It was a promising start to Kimmorley's club career under Sharks coach Ricky Stuart, the man he credits with helping him rediscover his passion for the game, something he admits he has lacked in recent seasons.
Kimmorley laid on tries for wingers Misi Taulapapa and Luke Covell with kicks, guiding the club back from a 4-0 half-time deficit.
"It's probably where I was several years ago, being as hungry as I was," Kimmorley said.
"I had a really enjoyable off-season and was looking forward to playing. With the fact we lost 10 in a row last year, it was 'get me away from footy'.
"On the back of a crap year, I think I have enjoyed the off-season we have had.
"Before today I was just looking forward to playing again, which is a good thing."
The Sharks looked anything but fluent in the first half against the Rabbitohs, conceding the game's opening try when winger Paul Mellor crossed after some good lead-up work from Dean Widders, the only one of Souths' big-name recruits to appear.
It was a lead the Rabbitohs held until half-time, before Kimmorley and the Sharks seized control of the second half.
After tries to Taulapapa and Covell, winger Fraser Anderson crossed in the 70th minute and impressive fullback Brett Kearney finished the scoring with six minutes remaining.
"It was the first win for a long time," said lock Paul Gallen, who was forced off early in the opening half with an ankle injury.
"Just sitting in here and watching the boys walk in was awesome. I know it's only a trial but it's something different from blokes walking in and throwing sh*t everywhere.
"Seeing the boys high-fiving, it was a good feeling. There was a good energy."
Stuart has had plenty to do with that.
Some questioned whether Kimmorley and Stuart could work together after their falling out during the 2005 State of Origin series, but those concerns have been eased.
"Having Ricky here is going to help my game a fair bit," Kimmorley said. "I'm eager to be coached again."
From that perspective, Stuart has called on Kimmorley to be more selective. Rather than getting his hands on the ball every play, Stuart wants his halfback to pick his moments.
"It's a chance for me to sit back and read it and play a lot smarter footy, rather than playing footy for the sake of it," Kimmorley said. "I felt a lot more under control tonight."
Kimmorley isn't the only Cronulla player impressed with the new regime.
"A change is as good as a holiday," Gallen said.
"Everyone has a new lease on life around there. He's the Australia coach and he's the kind of guy who just seems real determined.
"I think everyone can feel that, that he wants to change the place. We have trained the best I have ever seen us train.
"Some of us are in the best condition we have been in. I think it's working, but it's only a trial and there's going to be a lot bigger tests."
Souths coach Jason Taylor was also encouraged by his side's performance.
He expects to have Nathan Merritt, Nigel Vagana, David Kidwell, Roy Asotasi, David Fa'alogo, Jeremy Smith and David Peachey back for Saturday night's Charity Shield against St George Illawarra at Telstra Stadium.
how nice and fluffy!
