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Sharks ready to put bite on Tigers
12 March 2004
A pre-season barb and a disappointing 2003 have provided ample motivation for the Sharks' 2004 National Rugby League opener against Wests Tigers at Telstra Stadium tomorrow.
Readers noted with interest former Sharks coach Chris Anderson's season prediction for his ex-NRL team in a Sydney newspaper recently.
When asked to assess each team before this weekend's 2004 kick-off, Anderson - who was sacked by the Sharks in the off-season - predicted his former team would finish a distant 10th.
He wrote: "Strengths - Quality props and a quality halfback. Nigel Vagana adds a lot of experience to the backline.
"Weaknesses - An over-reliance on their props and halfback. New coach will take time to get to know the players."
Sharks players tried to be diplomatic over the rating but the Cronulla outfit still sounded like a team with a point to prove as it prepared for a new-look Tigers.
"I'm sure Opes (Anderson) will want the best for the players," Sharks centre Ryan McGoldrick said before adding: "looking at the player roster I don't see any limitation on what we can achieve this year.
"With the player roster we've got this year it's going to be both an exciting backline and a tough forward pack."
If the assessment by Anderson, who is taking legal action against the club, doesn't provide enough motivation, their 2003 disappointment certainly will.
Sharks fullback David Peachey said his side would be out to "make it up to the fans" this season following their 2003 8-16 regular season performance.
"Last year was disappointing not making the finals, we lost more games than we won," he said.
"Brett (Kimmorley) was injured for 10 weeks, (Jason) Stevens was out and I stepped in as captain and the young blokes were looking for leadership from me and it was a tough time.
"I had to perform week-in, week-out where in the past I had a lot of senior guys around me for support.
"Each week you had to rise to the challenge and the young blokes were looking up to me to do something special.
"I really learned a lot from that and hopefully I can take that into this year."
McGoldrick, back after a year in rugby union with the NSW Waratahs, agreed that Peachey looked like a man on a mission.
"Peach is back to his best. He's looking fresh and rejuvenated," he said.
"He's told people a few people he's feeling pretty good."
While the Sharks have lost winger Nathan Merritt (ankle) for the clash, replaced by fellow new recruit Hassan Saleh, they have been buoyed by re-signing forward Matt Hilder, 21, for another two seasons today.
Besides Merritt, the Sharks will also be without prize off-season recruit Nigel Vagana (shoulder) who is expected to return in round three.
The Sharks take on a Tigers outfit boasting six new faces in its starting 13 including Penrith grand final hero Scott Sattler
12 March 2004
A pre-season barb and a disappointing 2003 have provided ample motivation for the Sharks' 2004 National Rugby League opener against Wests Tigers at Telstra Stadium tomorrow.
Readers noted with interest former Sharks coach Chris Anderson's season prediction for his ex-NRL team in a Sydney newspaper recently.
When asked to assess each team before this weekend's 2004 kick-off, Anderson - who was sacked by the Sharks in the off-season - predicted his former team would finish a distant 10th.
He wrote: "Strengths - Quality props and a quality halfback. Nigel Vagana adds a lot of experience to the backline.
"Weaknesses - An over-reliance on their props and halfback. New coach will take time to get to know the players."
Sharks players tried to be diplomatic over the rating but the Cronulla outfit still sounded like a team with a point to prove as it prepared for a new-look Tigers.
"I'm sure Opes (Anderson) will want the best for the players," Sharks centre Ryan McGoldrick said before adding: "looking at the player roster I don't see any limitation on what we can achieve this year.
"With the player roster we've got this year it's going to be both an exciting backline and a tough forward pack."
If the assessment by Anderson, who is taking legal action against the club, doesn't provide enough motivation, their 2003 disappointment certainly will.
Sharks fullback David Peachey said his side would be out to "make it up to the fans" this season following their 2003 8-16 regular season performance.
"Last year was disappointing not making the finals, we lost more games than we won," he said.
"Brett (Kimmorley) was injured for 10 weeks, (Jason) Stevens was out and I stepped in as captain and the young blokes were looking for leadership from me and it was a tough time.
"I had to perform week-in, week-out where in the past I had a lot of senior guys around me for support.
"Each week you had to rise to the challenge and the young blokes were looking up to me to do something special.
"I really learned a lot from that and hopefully I can take that into this year."
McGoldrick, back after a year in rugby union with the NSW Waratahs, agreed that Peachey looked like a man on a mission.
"Peach is back to his best. He's looking fresh and rejuvenated," he said.
"He's told people a few people he's feeling pretty good."
While the Sharks have lost winger Nathan Merritt (ankle) for the clash, replaced by fellow new recruit Hassan Saleh, they have been buoyed by re-signing forward Matt Hilder, 21, for another two seasons today.
Besides Merritt, the Sharks will also be without prize off-season recruit Nigel Vagana (shoulder) who is expected to return in round three.
The Sharks take on a Tigers outfit boasting six new faces in its starting 13 including Penrith grand final hero Scott Sattler
