What's new
The Front Row Forums

Register a free account today to become a member of the world's largest Rugby League discussion forum! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Regression of Sharks 2026

Messages
12,028
The last few years we made the finals bombed out, yes Panthers were on fire but in 2025, it was a very soft comp, and we failed to get it done, a team who failed to make finals the year before done a Bradbury to win it.

Since then Fitz has failed to offload either Ramien or Uele, no takers for them.

Kennedy staying another year, he won't improve, he is probably in bottom 3 fullbacks in the comp, and to make it worse there are veteran fullbacks well past 30 probably still going better.

We have a halves combo by now should be rock solid unphased by pressure but melt. And when your paid a million plus Big game Nicho fails to live up to that name. (How long does combo need to play together, Fitz keeps saying they need time), how long do they need. The halves combo is not good enough plain and simple, but the coach keeps them, the fear is Pollard will leave.

The squad is the same I fear round 1, that he trots out Ramien in the centres (after trying to move him on), which to Gabrael would be enough to say I need to get out of this club.

Keeping players like Rudolf and Uele, will stifle bringing through any younger players.

The loyalty Fitz has for players can look good but when these players have failed when put to the ultimate test, does not go well for 2026.

The slide will be there for all to see, other teams are looking to improve, we on the other hand seem to be standing still.

There is a lack of speed I believe in the outside backs I maybe wrong but they just seem slower compared to other teams.

The team overall has already peaked, and on downward trend.

2026 no premiership, the question is will people be happy with failure of no premiership, as Fitz seems in unacceptable.

I hope we win but looking at this squad it will be a year of mediocrity, and it will be accepted, with a multitude of excuses.
 

shadowboxer

First Grade
Messages
7,496
Two things.
Is this a ‘copy and paste’ from 2025 or 2024? Or maybe dumped a rant in Co-Pilot to get an AI ‘make it sound more current vibe’

And ‘hope we win but…’ paragraph- was this you or Co-pilot? I assume an AI engine, as like most, it is sick to death of the constant moaning and just wants a snippet of positivity
 

fizzgig

Juniors
Messages
328
Don't forget we got rid of Ronnie for most of the season so we get Stonestreet!

See! Fixed!
 
Messages
12,028
Two things.
Is this a ‘copy and paste’ from 2025 or 2024? Or maybe dumped a rant in Co-Pilot to get an AI ‘make it sound more current vibe’

And ‘hope we win but…’ paragraph- was this you or Co-pilot? I assume an AI engine, as like most, it is sick to death of the constant moaning and just wants a snippet of positivity
Convince me we can win this year, what will be different two halves that Fitz said need time together.
I will be interested to see how long DCE and Walker take to gel, yes Walker is younger then both our halves but will probably be quicker, then our two have taken
 

R-15-3

Bench
Messages
3,301
The seasons comes down to our fullback imo.
Our whole attack suffers due to no real genuine threat lurking out the back.

I feel for our halfs and outside backs being easily targeted by defence by not needing to be in 2 minds worrying about making the correct defensive decision.

If Kennedy doesn’t go up 10 gears or Ison is a flop then we will just be making up the numbers again.
 

shadowboxer

First Grade
Messages
7,496
Saw David Byrne last week in Sydney.
Maybe his positivity is still ringing in my ears and soul. Either that or I’m only on 3 game pass down at the swamp this year. More Newtown games for me.
I’m not going to ‘convince’ anyone of our chances, it’s like talking to the proverbial brick wall, but going over the same old ground. Fugg me it’s a bore fest. Maybe the year after next when the clean out occurs we can bitch about the loss of him or him or them……
 
Messages
1,096
The last few years we made the finals bombed out, yes Panthers were on fire but in 2025, it was a very soft comp, and we failed to get it done, a team who failed to make finals the year before done a Bradbury to win it.

Since then Fitz has failed to offload either Ramien or Uele, no takers for them.

Kennedy staying another year, he won't improve, he is probably in bottom 3 fullbacks in the comp, and to make it worse there are veteran fullbacks well past 30 probably still going better.

We have a halves combo by now should be rock solid unphased by pressure but melt. And when your paid a million plus Big game Nicho fails to live up to that name. (How long does combo need to play together, Fitz keeps saying they need time), how long do they need. The halves combo is not good enough plain and simple, but the coach keeps them, the fear is Pollard will leave.

The squad is the same I fear round 1, that he trots out Ramien in the centres (after trying to move him on), which to Gabrael would be enough to say I need to get out of this club.

Keeping players like Rudolf and Uele, will stifle bringing through any younger players.

The loyalty Fitz has for players can look good but when these players have failed when put to the ultimate test, does not go well for 2026.

The slide will be there for all to see, other teams are looking to improve, we on the other hand seem to be standing still.

There is a lack of speed I believe in the outside backs I maybe wrong but they just seem slower compared to other teams.

The team overall has already peaked, and on downward trend.

2026 no premiership, the question is will people be happy with failure of no premiership, as Fitz seems in unacceptable.

I hope we win but looking at this squad it will be a year of mediocrity, and it will be accepted, with a multitude of excuses.
 
Messages
16,678
Enjoy the season we’ll have a great team to follow this year unlike a lot of other supporters. Personally I think if the Donkies don’t get any major injuries they’ll go back to back.

I think a lot of younger players will get an opportunity this year and there will be a bit of a roster turnover at the end of the season.

We just need a couple of these young lower grade players to become great players rather than just good. The Club will continue to recruit smartly where they can and when money is available.

But the plan is always to have a team that can compete for a top 4 spot. And we have a great opportunity at that again this year. And any given year who knows what might happen.

The Club has a good crop of young players coming through and there will always be the rise of a couple of younger players that we didn’t see coming.

Believe! This Club punches well above its weight.
 

coolumsharkie

Referee
Messages
27,270
Im pretty happy with some of it, last season I mean. Especially how we grew an extra leg at the back end. We lacked that seige mentality overall, we tend to have that nice boy image until it got serious and then we were in it. I dunno, thats what's missing imo.
 

DJDL

First Grade
Messages
6,581
Im pretty happy with some of it, last season I mean. Especially how we grew an extra leg at the back end. We lacked that seige mentality overall, we tend to have that nice boy image until it got serious and then we were in it. I dunno, thats what's missing imo.

That's the part that gives me the most optimism.
For the most part, I found last year to be very "meh".
But something clicked at the backend that gives me some hope.

It seemed to coincide with Cam getting injured, and I hope is an indicator to the coaching staff of what a difference some subtle changes can make.
If Gabrael and Ison can get a crack, and both make a fist of it, there's reason to think we can improve.
I'd like something else in the middles as well, but that's about it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: PJ
Messages
12,028
I just cant see us improving, I could be wrong, the Broncs had 2 veteran halves and a bottom level hooker and one yes they had a star prop like we have.
The difference is Big Game Nicho fails to stand up when it counts
Kennedy when it comes to finals looks slow, fails to get himself into the game.
Trindall is the same.
It comes to the crunch there ice cold ability melts.
Ramien was offered up to be offloaded come round 1 he will be in the team.
Fitz also basically won't drop players, I look at our squad I believe they need to be coached old school, make them play reserve grade when out of form, if it was good enough for Gavin Miller good enough for these guys
 

PJ

First Grade
Messages
6,804
I just cant see us improving, I could be wrong, the Broncs had 2 veteran halves and a bottom level hooker and one yes they had a star prop like we have.
The difference is Big Game Nicho fails to stand up when it counts
Kennedy when it comes to finals looks slow, fails to get himself into the game.
Trindall is the same.
It comes to the crunch there ice cold ability melts.
Ramien was offered up to be offloaded come round 1 he will be in the team.
Fitz also basically won't drop players, I look at our squad I believe they need to be coached old school, make them play reserve grade when out of form, if it was good enough for Gavin Miller good enough for these guys

Swap Walsh and Kennedy and we are likely the premiers, and Brisbane definately aint.

Hell put him in just about any other finals team, particularly top 4, and they are premier favourites.

He was head and shoulders above any other player in last years finals series.

As Dragon Slayer said, we punch above our weight.
 
Last edited:
Top