There has been a few of these over the past few days:
Payback time: Ross's pledge to Sharks fans
7/02/2012 12:52:07 PM
Rejuvenated prop Ben Ross has vowed to repay Sharks fans for their patience after his injury-plagued former stint with the club resulted in him sitting out the final year of his lucrative four-season contract – and says a return to playing State of Origin for Queensland is his ultimate goal.
Also, the 110-kilogram behemoth revealed one of the triggers for his decision to return to the Shire was the re-signing of former Sharks hooker Isaac De Gois, who Ross credits as being a major influence on his best form on the football field.
“Yeah – I enjoyed my time at Souths but I sort of feel like I owe something to Cronulla,” Ross told NRL.com. “I was here for four years and was injured for two of them, so coming back I think I need to prove something to the fans.
“To be back with the likes of (new players Andrew Fifita and Bryce Gibbs) and ‘Gall’ and Jeremy Smith… it’s such a great pack and I’m just really excited about the year ahead.”
Ross joined Cronulla on a four-year contract in 2006 but missed most of his first season with the Sharks after picking up a knee injury early in the competition rounds. He was then sidelined for the whole of 2009 after suffering a serious neck injury that also prevented him taking the field in his first year at South Sydney in 2010, before a doctor’s clearance saw him return to rugby league with a rousing full season in 2011.
Ross said he was over the moon to have played as many games as he did in 2011, although he deflected any suggestion he had played a pivotal role at Redfern after ironically a host of other forwards, including Roy Asotasi, Luke Stuart and Sam Burgess, were struck down with injuries.
“With all the injuries we copped I think we went really well,” Ross said. “Personally I only expected to play 10 games and to get out 27 straight (including trials)… I was pretty happy.
“I don’t know if I held the forward pack together – that was Mick Crocker and a few others as well – but I’m very excited about how I played and what potential I can get back to… hopefully I can bring back some good form here at the Sharks.”
Ross played six games for Queensland in 2004-’05 and says the thought of pulling on a Maroon jersey again helps his motivation after such a long period on the sidelines.
“I’ve always promised my sister that I’ll let her watch me play Origin – she never got to see me the last time,” the 31-year-old said. “Yeah, that’s a big goal of mine… first of all try to make the starting side here and then improve from there.
“I’ve been working very hard outside of footy with extra fitness and skills and all that sort of thing with the coaches here… just that little bit of extra stuff I suppose I need to do being that much older than the other guys… just to get back to my old form.”
On De Gois, Ross said: “I got to play with Isaac for two years and… you talk about reasons for coming back: I really liked playing with Isaac here – I think he brought out some of my best football.
“He’s got that speed and he’s got that skill and him being back here gives us that extra string to our bow, I guess. That attacking brilliance he has out of dummy-half… yeah, it’s really exciting to have him back.”
Ross revealed Sharks coach Shane Flanagan wanted the Cronulla pack to make a statement in 2012 as they attempted a return to the top eight.
“That physical dominance the Sharks are always known for… I know the Sharks – playing for them and playing against them – they’re always good at getting out of their own 50 (metres) and I think we’ve just got to combine that with all the new fellas and lead with a dominance so our backs like Todd Carney and Wade Graham can really dominate,” he said.
He said helping the Sharks back to semi-finals football meant “everything” to him.
“The last time I played for the Sharks we actually made it to the game before the grand final (preliminary finalists in 2008) so it’s something I think the Sharks themselves need to do – and to get there as part of that team would be great.”
Ross said former Wests Tigers duo and new team-mates Andrew Fifita and Bryce Gibbs had settled in well in the Shire – but added renowned practical joker Gibbs had already left more than a few ‘calling cards’.
“Yeah, I walked in the other day and my locker was liquid-nailed closed and boots nailed down!” he said. “He’s good – they’ve both fitted in really well.
“(Andrew) Fifita, he’s very loud, and the boys give it to him a bit but it’s a good team environment here… everyone’s a mate and it makes team harmony a lot better when you all can have a laugh and a joke, and we’ll see how that combines out on the field.”
Sharks Gardner ready to rip in 2012
6/02/2012 7:14:59 PM
After a convincing 38-6 trial win over Manly and an uninterrupted pre-season, Cronulla fullback Nathan Gardner is seeing plenty of positives ahead of the Sharks 2012 premiership campaign.
With the cobwebs dusted and new combinations forming, Gardner believes there was plenty to gain from the trial that saw the Sharks play with a sytle and confidence that has fans excited.
"It felt good... we've been training for two hard months now so its great to get out there," Gardner said.
"It was a really good hit out for us and we'll definitely gain a lot of confidence from it.
"We do have to remember it was only a trial, but any time you grab a win, especially at this time of year, it shows that our work at training is coming along nicely.
"There are a lot of positives to take away from the match."
2011 was a year of ups and downs for Gardner, who scored four tries in his first seven games before a severe ankle injury derailed his campaign.
However, with a solid pre-season under his belt, the club's custodian is looking forward to finding the form which saw him capture the 2010 Sharks 'Rookie of the Year' award.
"I've gained a lot of confidence from the pre season and have managed to train hard so far without being injured so hopefully I can continue to stay fit and improve on my consistency from last year as well."
With the likes of Paul Gallen and new recruit Todd Carney leading the way, Gardner feels that coach Shane Flanagan's focus on mental toughness is going to pay dividends.
"We want to turn around the results from last year that's for sure.
"We've talked about having a lot of pride and honour for who we are and who we play for.
"Shane wants us to be mentally stronger and tougher in the head than any other team out there."
Gardner will be in action at the Sharks next trial match is against the Newcastle Knights on Saturday 18 February 2012 at Olympic Park, Muswellbrook.
Sharks Player Blog: Nathan Stapleton
Nathan Stapleton
5/02/2012 7:00:29 PM
Hey Sharks Members, Sponsors and supporters,
How good was Friday night's performance? I thought the boys all played very well and it was great to see the new recruits show their class.
Unfortunately as the footy returns for 2012, I’m stuck in rehab working on my knee again after I tore my anterior cruciate ligament for the second time a couple of weeks ago.
There’s never a good time for a knee injury, particularly when you’ve done it twice before. It really starts to play with your head and sometimes you can get pretty down about it, but that’s when you’ve 'gotta try and overcome it - look for the positives and just keep plugging away.
I guess one positive is I have time on my side. It’s better to have injured it in the pre season than halfway through the season where'd I’d probably be sidelined for the season. I had LARS surgery again, and at this stage it looks like I’ll be out for around 12-16 weeks depending on how rehab goes. Luckily, at the moment, there are no problems and it's coming along pretty fast.
I started upper-body weights on Monday, I’m walking around with no crutches and now it’s just a case of trying to build the muscle up and get a bit of range in the knee.
The club has this new machine – I can’t remember the exact name of it - but it's designed to take the load off your knee so you can see how much body weight and stress you’re putting on it.
I’ll probably start on that this week some time and probably do some walking and light jogging as well.
It's disappointing though as I had been really happy with my pre season form and fitness. But I guess with my injury means there is still a pretty close fight on for wing spots. At the moment, I think Stewart Mills looks the goods. 'Millsy' has been training the house down so far in pre-season, and I really think he deserves first shot. You just have to remember his debut last season to get excited about his potential!
However with Matt Wright, John Williams and Isaac Gordon all putting their hand up for a spot on the flank, it will be interesting to see how they go in the trial matches.
In saying that, unless you’re name is Paul Gallen, you're never really guaranteed a spot for the season or even week-to-week. These trials are a great place for us to build a foundation for 2012 and starting off with a win really helps that.
The last couple of years we’ve struggled at the start of the year, so we need to really concentrate on winning the close games that have come back to haunt us over the last few years.
We’ve got the side to do it and there is plenty of spark there, so I'm confident we will feature in the top eight come September.
Anyway, I'm off to do some more rehab. I'm sure I will see you around the Shire in the coming weeks!
Go the Sharks!
Nath.
Payback time: Ross's pledge to Sharks fans
7/02/2012 12:52:07 PM
Rejuvenated prop Ben Ross has vowed to repay Sharks fans for their patience after his injury-plagued former stint with the club resulted in him sitting out the final year of his lucrative four-season contract – and says a return to playing State of Origin for Queensland is his ultimate goal.
Also, the 110-kilogram behemoth revealed one of the triggers for his decision to return to the Shire was the re-signing of former Sharks hooker Isaac De Gois, who Ross credits as being a major influence on his best form on the football field.
“Yeah – I enjoyed my time at Souths but I sort of feel like I owe something to Cronulla,” Ross told NRL.com. “I was here for four years and was injured for two of them, so coming back I think I need to prove something to the fans.
“To be back with the likes of (new players Andrew Fifita and Bryce Gibbs) and ‘Gall’ and Jeremy Smith… it’s such a great pack and I’m just really excited about the year ahead.”
Ross joined Cronulla on a four-year contract in 2006 but missed most of his first season with the Sharks after picking up a knee injury early in the competition rounds. He was then sidelined for the whole of 2009 after suffering a serious neck injury that also prevented him taking the field in his first year at South Sydney in 2010, before a doctor’s clearance saw him return to rugby league with a rousing full season in 2011.
Ross said he was over the moon to have played as many games as he did in 2011, although he deflected any suggestion he had played a pivotal role at Redfern after ironically a host of other forwards, including Roy Asotasi, Luke Stuart and Sam Burgess, were struck down with injuries.
“With all the injuries we copped I think we went really well,” Ross said. “Personally I only expected to play 10 games and to get out 27 straight (including trials)… I was pretty happy.
“I don’t know if I held the forward pack together – that was Mick Crocker and a few others as well – but I’m very excited about how I played and what potential I can get back to… hopefully I can bring back some good form here at the Sharks.”
Ross played six games for Queensland in 2004-’05 and says the thought of pulling on a Maroon jersey again helps his motivation after such a long period on the sidelines.
“I’ve always promised my sister that I’ll let her watch me play Origin – she never got to see me the last time,” the 31-year-old said. “Yeah, that’s a big goal of mine… first of all try to make the starting side here and then improve from there.
“I’ve been working very hard outside of footy with extra fitness and skills and all that sort of thing with the coaches here… just that little bit of extra stuff I suppose I need to do being that much older than the other guys… just to get back to my old form.”
On De Gois, Ross said: “I got to play with Isaac for two years and… you talk about reasons for coming back: I really liked playing with Isaac here – I think he brought out some of my best football.
“He’s got that speed and he’s got that skill and him being back here gives us that extra string to our bow, I guess. That attacking brilliance he has out of dummy-half… yeah, it’s really exciting to have him back.”
Ross revealed Sharks coach Shane Flanagan wanted the Cronulla pack to make a statement in 2012 as they attempted a return to the top eight.
“That physical dominance the Sharks are always known for… I know the Sharks – playing for them and playing against them – they’re always good at getting out of their own 50 (metres) and I think we’ve just got to combine that with all the new fellas and lead with a dominance so our backs like Todd Carney and Wade Graham can really dominate,” he said.
He said helping the Sharks back to semi-finals football meant “everything” to him.
“The last time I played for the Sharks we actually made it to the game before the grand final (preliminary finalists in 2008) so it’s something I think the Sharks themselves need to do – and to get there as part of that team would be great.”
Ross said former Wests Tigers duo and new team-mates Andrew Fifita and Bryce Gibbs had settled in well in the Shire – but added renowned practical joker Gibbs had already left more than a few ‘calling cards’.
“Yeah, I walked in the other day and my locker was liquid-nailed closed and boots nailed down!” he said. “He’s good – they’ve both fitted in really well.
“(Andrew) Fifita, he’s very loud, and the boys give it to him a bit but it’s a good team environment here… everyone’s a mate and it makes team harmony a lot better when you all can have a laugh and a joke, and we’ll see how that combines out on the field.”
Sharks Gardner ready to rip in 2012
6/02/2012 7:14:59 PM
After a convincing 38-6 trial win over Manly and an uninterrupted pre-season, Cronulla fullback Nathan Gardner is seeing plenty of positives ahead of the Sharks 2012 premiership campaign.
With the cobwebs dusted and new combinations forming, Gardner believes there was plenty to gain from the trial that saw the Sharks play with a sytle and confidence that has fans excited.
"It felt good... we've been training for two hard months now so its great to get out there," Gardner said.
"It was a really good hit out for us and we'll definitely gain a lot of confidence from it.
"We do have to remember it was only a trial, but any time you grab a win, especially at this time of year, it shows that our work at training is coming along nicely.
"There are a lot of positives to take away from the match."
2011 was a year of ups and downs for Gardner, who scored four tries in his first seven games before a severe ankle injury derailed his campaign.
However, with a solid pre-season under his belt, the club's custodian is looking forward to finding the form which saw him capture the 2010 Sharks 'Rookie of the Year' award.
"I've gained a lot of confidence from the pre season and have managed to train hard so far without being injured so hopefully I can continue to stay fit and improve on my consistency from last year as well."
With the likes of Paul Gallen and new recruit Todd Carney leading the way, Gardner feels that coach Shane Flanagan's focus on mental toughness is going to pay dividends.
"We want to turn around the results from last year that's for sure.
"We've talked about having a lot of pride and honour for who we are and who we play for.
"Shane wants us to be mentally stronger and tougher in the head than any other team out there."
Gardner will be in action at the Sharks next trial match is against the Newcastle Knights on Saturday 18 February 2012 at Olympic Park, Muswellbrook.
Sharks Player Blog: Nathan Stapleton
Nathan Stapleton
5/02/2012 7:00:29 PM
Hey Sharks Members, Sponsors and supporters,
How good was Friday night's performance? I thought the boys all played very well and it was great to see the new recruits show their class.
Unfortunately as the footy returns for 2012, I’m stuck in rehab working on my knee again after I tore my anterior cruciate ligament for the second time a couple of weeks ago.
There’s never a good time for a knee injury, particularly when you’ve done it twice before. It really starts to play with your head and sometimes you can get pretty down about it, but that’s when you’ve 'gotta try and overcome it - look for the positives and just keep plugging away.
I guess one positive is I have time on my side. It’s better to have injured it in the pre season than halfway through the season where'd I’d probably be sidelined for the season. I had LARS surgery again, and at this stage it looks like I’ll be out for around 12-16 weeks depending on how rehab goes. Luckily, at the moment, there are no problems and it's coming along pretty fast.
I started upper-body weights on Monday, I’m walking around with no crutches and now it’s just a case of trying to build the muscle up and get a bit of range in the knee.
The club has this new machine – I can’t remember the exact name of it - but it's designed to take the load off your knee so you can see how much body weight and stress you’re putting on it.
I’ll probably start on that this week some time and probably do some walking and light jogging as well.
It's disappointing though as I had been really happy with my pre season form and fitness. But I guess with my injury means there is still a pretty close fight on for wing spots. At the moment, I think Stewart Mills looks the goods. 'Millsy' has been training the house down so far in pre-season, and I really think he deserves first shot. You just have to remember his debut last season to get excited about his potential!
However with Matt Wright, John Williams and Isaac Gordon all putting their hand up for a spot on the flank, it will be interesting to see how they go in the trial matches.
In saying that, unless you’re name is Paul Gallen, you're never really guaranteed a spot for the season or even week-to-week. These trials are a great place for us to build a foundation for 2012 and starting off with a win really helps that.
The last couple of years we’ve struggled at the start of the year, so we need to really concentrate on winning the close games that have come back to haunt us over the last few years.
We’ve got the side to do it and there is plenty of spark there, so I'm confident we will feature in the top eight come September.
Anyway, I'm off to do some more rehab. I'm sure I will see you around the Shire in the coming weeks!
Go the Sharks!
Nath.
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