Report from the trial

[Sheros los Deros]

I was there at Ballina, both teams can take away alot from that trial. However, there is a lot of work to do, with handling mistakes, defence.

First quarter. 12-6 Sharks. I thought the Sharks looked really really sharp in the first quarter. To be honest, they blitzed the Eels. There was such SKILL on display, off loads flick passes, speed. If the Sharks put together footy like that consistent basis, were going to have plenty to cheer about this season.

Second quarter. 18-12. Parra. Silly mistakes by the Sharks let the Parra side grind out a couple of tries. I think the Sharks got too excited with the off loads, and tried to push the ball. Parra controlled the ball better than the Shark's, and their patience was rewarded. A knock on by Sully was costly. Some pretty soft defence on Cannings let him stroll about thirty metres to score.

Third quarter. Parra 24-20. The Sharks fought back well. Actually got ahead 20-18, after a charge down kick, off which Noddy scored. Peach was dangerous out wide, set up a try for Saleh. Both teams were a bit scrappy, they dropped a lot of ball.

Fourth Quarter. Parra dominated possession. Sharks dropped a lot of ball coming out of their own end. The Sharks defended well on their line, they dug deep, and were rewarded with the last try which was a ripper, about seven passes, with Merrit, running twenty or thirty metres around the parra fullback.

Peach- Safe as ever, some magic touches. Set up the try for Saleh. Got pushed off the ball for Burt's try.

Merrit. Pretty quiet . Scored the last try, which was a ripper. Struggled to handle Eric Grothe at times.

McGoldrick. Solid without being brilliant. Fairly strong in defence him and Franze handled Lyon very well.

Franze. Strong runnning game, made a break in the last quarter, passed outside to Rieck, who had come back inside. Handled Lyon pretty well. His leg was bandaged up, but he doesn't seem to have lost a lot a lot of pace.

Rieck. Didn't have a very good match, dropped a pass with line wide open.
Lack of communication with Franze was costly.

Bird. Seemed to be struggling, the trainers were working on what looked to be a hamstring injury at quarter time. No glaring misses in defence. Nothing spectacular in attack.

Kimmorley. Once of the best on the field, controlled the game. Good kicking and passing game. The Sharks thrived off the extra space his passing game the deeper attack. The guy can play, he's a champion under any style of play. Goal kicking was average, must have missed the last one, which was almost straight in front.

Hilder. Dangerous with the ball in hand. Played a blinder in the first quarter, breaking the line and off loading at will. One of the Sharks best. Could be a real stand out for us this season. He has talent.

Nutley. Worked his guts out all night, made good metres into the larger Parra pack, often beat tackles, and broke the line. One of the Sharks best players.

Lomu. Parra found Lomu hard to handle. He made yards all night, his offloads intiated a lot of exciting passages of play in the first half.

Isemonger. Worked hard in defence, as usual.

Gallen. Strong running and good in defence, didn't stand out in attack.

Bickerstaff. Had a sound game. Not outstanding though.

Newton. Ran hard, and made lot of ground. He 's looks the goods. I thought the heat got to him a bit though.

Bosnich. Played a great game, one of the most dangerous Sharks players on the field. Surprisingly quick and skillful out of dummy half for a big fella.

Saleh. As soon as he came he looked dangerous. Scored a try, and missed out on another by inches. Probably the best Sharks winger on the field.

Russo. Big and dangerous, looks impressive. Makes lots of yards, fast and can offload. I think he may make his way into the top 17.

Reece Williams. Had an unhappy night, dropped the ball twice, missed tackles, probably needs more time in PL.

Sully. Played as replacement hooker, didn't go very at all. Dropped the ball at dummy half that led to a Parra try.

Aitken. Came on for a run in the last quarter. Went OK, no glaring mistakes. Did nothing spectacular.

28 to 24.

Cronulla tries to (Gallen, Bosnich, Saleh, Kimmorley and Merrit. Kimmorley 2 from 5.

 

[Anonymous]

Sully. Played as replacement hooker, didn't go very at all. Dropped the ball at dummy half that led to a Parra try.

Waiting for the Sullivan bandwagon to jump all over this. Simply put, Sully doesn't have what it takes to play first grade and shouldn't even be considered for a position in the 17.

 

[King of the Hill]

Waiting for the Sullivan bandwagon to jump all over this. Simply put, Sully doesn't have what it takes to play first grade and shouldn't even be considered for a position in the 17.

When he hits a gap from dummy half he's handy but really, his kicking and passing game are pretty bad. His hands are awful. I'd cut him and replace him with Deano.

Uh oh I just opened a can of worms.

Sheros, great report, thanks so much for that.

Bit worried about this bandage on Franze's leg. Worried that Bird is still in the frame. Worried that Rieck is already dropping balls with the line wide open in the trials.

VERY excited about Peach. I think he'll have a great year if his legs stand up to it. Noddy seems to have made the transition to the new attack well. Glad McGoldrick handled Lyon well. Sounds like Hilder is going to build on the foundation he laid so well last year. I've decided I'll give Saleh a go.

I cant wait for this season to start, I felt excited just reading that match report and we lost! I hope the next month flies by!

 

[Macca]

Who kicked goals, and how many did they get or miss. Were they hard ones or easy ones. If we scored 5 tries each I can only imagine that kicking lost us the game.

 

[coolumsharkie]

Sully. Played as replacement hooker, didn't go very at all. Dropped the ball at dummy half that led to a Parra try.

Waiting for the Sullivan bandwagon to jump all over this. Simply put, Sully doesn't have what it takes to play first grade and shouldn't even be considered for a position in the 17.

yeah I gotta agree there,He didnt impress me at all last year

Vagana for 5/8 spot please!!!!

 

[DJDL]

Noddy kicked 2 from 5 Missed 2 from the sidelnes, and one easier one at the death.

I'm not overly worried about that

 

[Macca]

I'm not overly worried about that

Not overly worried about losing a game due to goalkicking?

If he slots the 3 he missed, we win. If we had El Masri, we win. I think it is of vital importance! :|

 

[Special K]

Franze's leg was taped up big time at the 7s too. Dunno about the gosford game though so hopefully nothing is wrong there...

I can't wait to see Newton in first grade again in a pack with Beattie, Stevo, Lomu, Nutley etc :mrgreen:

 

[Houdini]

Going by that report things sound really promising for this season, but our goalkicking really is a concern. As proven by this trial, goal kicks can often be the difference between a win or a loss

 

[Marty Moose]

I was there too, a very good and acurate description of the game, my changes saleh for reick, vagana for Bird. stevens and Beattie I didn't think were missed much so they have work to do. Give bailey the flick and use the money elsewhere.
Gallen played well. as did Lomu.

I think Franze and McGoldrick will go well together in the centres, so I agree with others to stick Vagana at 5/8.

I spoke to Franze after the game and he said that his knee was great, probably a confidence thing with the strapping.

What a time to move to Brisbane for me, 2004 I think will be an exciting year.

 

[Generalzod]

It looks like that Raper has blended the team well, There was no 74-4 scorelines.

 

[Twizzle]

It looks like that Raper has blended the team well, There was no 74-4 scorelines.

Didn't think anyone would want to bring that up.

Gotta say the Sharks looks a good team last night. They were outweighed in the forwards, but they ran on well in the heat for 4 quarters.

With match winers like Noddy, Vagana and Peachy, you can expect a much better years than last year.

 

[SirShire]

2/5 just aint good enough. Give the job to Merritt.

 

[Sheros los Deros]

Thanks, Twizzle. I really think that both sides have potential to have promising seasons. In the end Parra showed slightly more discipline with the ball, which got them the win. I thought Grothe, Webster, and Cannings were dangerous for the Eels. I think Steve Witt is a better option for you guys at half back.

 

[Twizzle]

Thanks, Twizzle. I really think that both sides have potential to have promising seasons. In the end Parra showed slightly more discipline with the ball, which got them the win. I thought Grothe, Webster, and Cannings were dangerous for the Eels. I think Steve Witt is a better option for you guys at half back.

That's young Michael Witt, Steve gone to the Knights.

 

[Sheros los Deros]

Sorry mate, I thought Michael Witt went better at half back than Dyksey.

 

[imasharkie]

Thanks for the report Sheros. I was booked in for the game but had a sales meeting to attend to in Townsville so missed out on a rare opportunity to see my beloved sharks play but at least my 2 nephews got to go even though they are parra supporters.

 

[Pazza]

good game sharkies, how do you think Roy Friend will fit into your teams plans this year.

Hope you guys do well, we deserve to be up there instead of rooster and bulldog scum.

 

[imasharkie]

Yeh Pazza lets see a cronulla v eels grand final

 

[Twizzle]

Betta bring a goal kicker this time.